Beyond paints, catalytic coatings, plastics, paper, pharmaceuticals and sunscreen, some lesser-known applications include packaging and commercial printing inks. TiO2 can also be found in cosmetics, toothpastes, and food (where it listed as the food colourant E171).

Prized for its ultra-white colour, ability to scatter light and UV-resistance, TiO2 is a popular ingredient, appearing in hundreds of products we see and use every day, bringing significant benefits to our economy and overall quality of life.

Applications for TiO2 include paints, plastics, paper, pharmaceuticals, sunscreen and decorative cosmetics. As a photocatalyst, TiO2 can be added to paints, cements, windows and tiles in order to decompose environmental pollutants.

Paints, coatings and plastics

When used specifically as a pigment in paints, TiO2 is called titanium white, Pigment White 6 or CI 77891. It is also known as ‘the perfect white’ or ‘the whitest white’ due to its powerful, whitening qualities. As a white pigment, TiO2 is one of the essential raw materials for paints and coatings.

Cosmetics and care

In skin care and make-up products, titanium dioxide is used both as a pigment and as a thickener for creams. As a sunscreen, ultra-fine TiO2 is used because of its transparency and UV-absorbing abilities.

Environmental benefits

Due to its various properties, titanium dioxide has been found to be useful for many different environmentally friendly applications.

When used in a paint coating on the outside of buildings in warm and tropical climates, the white, light-reflecting qualities of TiO2 can lead to considerable energy savings, as it reduces the need for air-conditioning.

Also, its opaqueness means it doesn’t need to be applied in thick or double coats, improving resource efficiency and avoiding waste.

As a photocatalyst, TiO2 can be added to paints, cements, windows and tiles in order to decompose environmental pollutants. As a nanomaterial (see below), it can also be used as a crucial DeNOx catalyst in exhaust gas systems for cars, truck