TiO₂ comes in many different forms. However, only a few of these forms are considered food-grade (acceptable to be added to food). Many studies that raised concern about the safety of TiO₂, including the concern for genotoxicity, used forms of TiO₂ that are not considered acceptable for use in food and have different properties than food-grade TiO₂. Other studies did use food-grade TiO₂, but took steps to break the material down into smaller particles than what would normally be found in food.

As early as sixty years ago, zinc sulphide was first thought of as a pigment for coloring India rubber and a patent for the process of its manufacture was issued in England. But it was not until twenty years later that zinc sulphide and its manufacture was seriously considered as a pigment for paint, and in 1874 a patent was issued for a process of manufacturing a white pigment, composed of zinc sulphide and barium sulphate, known as Charlton white, also as Orr's white enamel. This was followed in 1876 by a patent issued to a manufacturer named Griffith and the product, which was similar in character to Charlton white, was known as Griffith's patent zinc white. In 1879 another patent for a more novel process was obtained by Griffith & Cawley, the product made under this process proving the best of the series placed upon the market up to that date. After that time many new processes were patented, all, however, tending to the same object, that of producing a white pigment, composed of zinc sulphide and barium carbonate, the results, however, in many cases ending with failure.

Prices increased somewhat in the Asian market during the third quarter of 2021. After a steady recovery since mid-June, its price in India fell slightly in August, pushed down by lower import prices. Titanium dioxide prices continued to rise in the Chinese domestic market, with FOB Wuhu talks for Rutile grade TiO2 settling at 3125 USD/MT for the week ending September 24th.

In beauty and personal care products, the ingredient is listed with its colour index (CI) number ‘CI 77891’. When nano grade titanium dioxide is used in our sunscreens, this is referenced as ‘titanium dioxide’ [nano] in the ingredients list.

Nanoparticles

According to the feedback of the manufacturers, the new mainstream factory has risen, and the focus of the overall market transaction has moved up. From the perspective of demand side, the current overall intention of the terminal to replenish inventory before the holiday is OK; From the supply side, some mainstream manufacturers have increased the load, and the actual output of the industry is stable. Most factories report a new price of around 17,000 yuan/ton, and some plastics and papermaking related downstream feedback some tight models are more expensive. Recent titanium dioxide raw material price trend is strong, titanium dioxide price support is more stable, comprehensive market factors, the current titanium dioxide market to maintain a price state.

ZnSO4 – BaS ➔ BaSO4*ZnS

In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide is no longer safe in foods due to the same concerns over nanoparticles. As a result, titanium dioxide is now banned as a food additive in the EU. Although studies have shown that the absorption of ingested titanium dioxide is low, evidence suggests that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can accumulate in the body over time. Health Canada deemed it safe in 2022 but noted concerns. Unlike their European counterparts, Canadian officials did not consider studies performed with titanium dioxide nanoparticles alone.