China's titanium dioxide output increased by 11% year-on-year in the first quarter

According to relevant statistics, in the first quarter of 2022, the cumulative output of titanium dioxide in China was about 1037300 tons, an increase of 11% over the same period last year, and the output increased by about 106700 tons. In March, China's titanium dioxide output reached a record high of 356500 tons, an increase of 5.07% month on month and 8.54% year-on-year.

The output increased slightly, and the market started to increase

In January, the output of titanium dioxide in China was 341400 tons, with a month on month increase of 2.11% and a year-on-year increase of 10.57%; In February, China's titanium dioxide output was 339300 tons, a month on month decrease of 0.61% and a year-on-year increase of 15.67%; In March, China's titanium dioxide output was 356500 tons, with a month on month increase of 5.07% and a year-on-year increase of 8.54%. Since this year, with the gradual release of new production capacity, the output of titanium dioxide of various enterprises has increased by varying degrees compared with last year.

In March, the top three regions in titanium dioxide production were Sichuan, Shandong and Henan, accounting for 22%, 16% and 13% of the total output respectively. Among them, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Hubei, Yunnan, Guizhou and other provinces achieved positive growth year-on-year in February, while Sichuan, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Guangdong, Jiangxi and other provinces decreased slightly compared with February. Chongqing, Shanghai, Hunan and other places were the same as in February.

From January to March, the output of titanium dioxide ranked as 23% in Sichuan, 16% in Shandong, 13% in Henan, 13% in Anhui, 8% in Guangxi, 6% in Jiangsu, 4% in Hubei, 4% in Yunnan, 3% in Chongqing, 3% in Zhejiang, 2% in Liaoning, 2% in Guangdong, 1% in Jiangxi and 1% in Guizhou.

From January to March, the overall output of titanium dioxide enterprises in China showed a steady growth trend, and the output in some regions increased and decreased. The orders of titanium dioxide enterprises were in good condition, and the enterprises maintained full capacity production. From mid to late March, affected by factors such as the continuous growth of raw material prices and the outbreak of epidemic in many places in China, titanium dioxide enterprises are greatly limited, and some enterprises have reduced the production load to varying degrees. In April, the output of titanium dioxide will also be reduced.

The market is improving at the same time, and the price is rising steadily

In the first quarter of 2022, the market price of titanium dioxide in China increased steadily. The price of rutile titanium dioxide was 19500 ~ 21000 yuan / ton, an increase of 800 yuan / ton, or about 4%, compared with 18700 ~ 21000 yuan / ton at the beginning of the first quarter; The price of anatase titanium dioxide is 17800 ~ 19000 yuan / ton, an increase of 300 yuan / ton or about 2% compared with 17500 ~ 19000 yuan / ton at the beginning of the first quarter. In the first quarter, the price of raw materials for titanium dioxide production increased significantly, and the price of titanium ore increased by about 170 yuan to 200 yuan / ton; The cumulative increase of sulfuric acid is about 400 yuan / ton, and the cost support is strong.

It is understood that in January, the leading enterprises of titanium dioxide sent letters to increase the price, which led to the improvement of the market atmosphere. In addition, the prices of raw materials titanium ore and sulfuric acid increased, and the cost support of titanium dioxide price was strong; At the end of January, affected by the arrival of the Spring Festival holiday, the stock sentiment in the downstream market increased, the orders of enterprises increased significantly, the manufacturers went to the warehouse more, and the market reappeared the rising sentiment. In February, the work resumed after the market Festival, the manufacturers arranged more orders in the early stage, the supply of goods in the market was tight, many manufacturers had strong intention to increase, and the market quotations increased by different ranges; In late February, some enterprises issued a price letter of US $175 ~ US $400 / ton from April 1, which was beneficial to the domestic titanium dioxide market, and the titanium dioxide price increased slightly.

Titanium dioxide markets at home and abroad are improving at the same time. In March, the market ushered in a wave of price rise. About 20 enterprises in the market issued letters to adjust prices. This price rise is mainly due to the continuous rise of sulfuric acid price, the high price of titanium ore for a long time, and the great cost pressure of enterprises. In mid March, the market weakened. Enterprises in many parts of the country actively fought the epidemic, the market supply was difficult to transport and circulate, the market supply was reduced, traders and dealers had an obvious mentality of going to the warehouse, and individual low prices appeared in the market. Under the continuous increase of cost pressure, the price of titanium dioxide remained high. In April, the domestic market was weak, the manufacturers received orders less than expected, the market transportation was limited in a large range, the price of raw sulfuric acid continued to rise, the pressure of titanium dioxide enterprises continued to increase, and the enterprise quotation was firm. In mid April, individual enterprises closed orders, the manufacturer's inventory was not high, and there were many orders in the early stage, the price reappeared the rising intention, and the market wait-and-see mood was strong.

In January, the average price of rutile products was 19750 yuan / ton in East China and 19800 yuan / ton in southwest, South and central China; The average price of anatase products is 18250 yuan / ton in East China, 18200 yuan / ton in Southwest China, 18350 yuan / ton in South China and 18250 yuan / ton in Central China. In February, the average price of rutile products was 19875 yuan / ton in East China, 19800 yuan / ton in southwest, South China and central China; The average price of anatase products is 18350 yuan / ton in East China, 18250 yuan / ton in Southwest China, 18400 yuan / ton in South China and 18350 yuan / ton in Central China. In March, the average price of rutile products was 20169 yuan / ton in East China, 19935 yuan / ton in Southwest China, 19803 yuan / ton in South China and 19935 yuan / ton in Central China; The average price of anatase products is 18400 yuan / ton in East China, 18300 yuan / ton in Southwest China, 18450 yuan / ton in South China and 18400 yuan / ton in Central China.

The import volume decreased and the price increased, and the export maintained an increasing trend

According to the customs data, from January to February, the total amount of titanium dioxide imported by China was 23900 tons, compared with 30400 tons in the same period last year, a year-on-year decrease of about 21.14%, and the import volume decreased by 6418 tons; The average import price was US $3328.74/t, up 16% from US $2859.64/t in the same period last year.

From January to February, Taiwan, China accounted for 38%, Mexico for 25% and the United States for 8% of titanium dioxide import regions. Australia 7%, Japan 6%, Germany 5%, Britain 5%, Malaysia 3%, Spain, Italy and other regions 1% each.

From January to February, China's total export of titanium dioxide was 243000 tons, compared with 201100 tons in the same period last year, an increase of 20.84%; The export volume increased by 41900 tons; The average export price was US $3003.2/t, up from US $2278.3/t in the same period last year, an increase of about 32%.

From January to February, the export countries of titanium dioxide ranked India, accounting for 12%, Brazil, 7% and Belgium, 7%; The top ten countries for titanium dioxide exports are India 12%, Brazil 7%, Belgium 7%, South Korea 6%, Turkey 5%, Indonesia 4%, Vietnam 4%, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Italy 3% each, and the others 46%.

China's titanium dioxide consumption also maintained a growth momentum. From January to February, the apparent consumption of titanium dioxide in China was 230900 tons, up 8% from 213700 tons in the same period last year. In the first quarter of 2022, China's titanium dioxide market will continue to maintain a good trend.