Results from major coatings and TiO2 manufacturers created a complex picture of the near-term future for the TiO2 industry. The consensus opinion of leading executives was there are many signs of slowing markets in Europe and parts of Asia, particularly China. Energy inflation throughout Europe, particularly Germany, and COVID-19-related lockdowns took their toll on TiO2 demand. Import statistics to Japan, Korea, and Germany support these claims.
FIGURE 1 ǀ 2018-2022: TiO2 import volumes into Germany.1