Titanium is one of the most common metals on earth, but it does not occur naturally in this elemental form. TiO2, also known as titanium (IV) oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring compound created when titanium reacts with the oxygen in the air. As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth’s crust. It is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron.
It's also worth noting that even prior to the EU decision, France had already outlawed titanium dioxide in food back in January 2020.
Titanium dioxide comes in the form of a white powder and is sometimes used in cosmetics to adjust a color to a lighter shade. This is also why it can produce a white cast.
Buff percentage refers to the amount of uncoated or partially coated titanium dioxide particles in a product. A higher buff percentage generally indicates a lower level of coating, which can impact the overall performance of the titanium dioxide. Manufacturers must carefully control this percentage to ensure that their product meets the specific requirements of their customers.
In addition to UV resistance, anatase titanium dioxide is also known for its chemical stability. This means that coatings made with this ingredient are less likely to break down or react with other substances, leading to a longer-lasting finish. This is especially important in industries where coatings are subjected to harsh conditions or frequent exposure to chemicals.
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety issued an opinion of the safety of titanium dioxide in food, stating that it should no longer be considered as safe when used as a food additive.
Molar mass: 412.23
Among the raw materials for coating production, titanium dioxide is more ideal, followed by lithopone. The covering power of lithopone is only that of titanium dioxide, and the price of lithopone is much lower than that of titanium dioxide, so lithopone still occupies a large market share.
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The global Lithopone market report provides in-depth competitive analysis as well as profiles of these major players.
In the application of lithopone in ink industry, lithopone has fine particles, loose structure, good fineness and good paint adhesion, so it can be well combined with other colors in the composition of ink.
It is a national high-tech enterprise, a national top 500 chemical enterprise, and the largest titanium dioxide exporter in China. The main products are TiO2, zirconium products, sulfuric acid and sulfate. Among them, titanium dioxide has reached 120,000 tons, and its export volume has ranked first in the country for three consecutive years. The annual production capacity of the main titanium dioxide is 600,000 tons, ranking first in Asia and fourth in the world.
Despite these positive developments, challenges remain for TiO2 factories. One major issue is the depletion of high-grade ilmenite ore, which is the primary source of titanium for producing TiO2. This has led some factories to explore alternative sources of titanium, such as upgrading lower-grade ores or。,,TiO2,。In its 2016 opinion, the ANS Panel recommended new studies be carried out to fill the gaps on possible effects on the reproductive system, which could enable them to set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI ). Uncertainty around the characterisation of the material used as the food additive (E 171) was also highlighted, in particular with respect to particle size and particle size distribution of titanium dioxide used as E 171.
So if you’re worried about titanium dioxide, don’t be! With current research and industry recommendations, titanium dioxide is a safe food additive. And if you want to avoid it, that’s ok too! Just don’t expect certain foods to be so white, smooth, and bright.