The number of newly-added titanium dioxide units was limited in 2017. The increases in capacity were mainly from the expansion. The total capacity of titanium dioxide was 3,938kt/a in 2017, up 146kt/a from last year. The growth rate was 3.85%. In 2017, the approval process for new units needed much time and was complicated on the strict environmental protection requirements. 

Moreover, China’s government limits the construction of titanium dioxide units that adopt sulfuric acid method with the capacity being less than 100kt/a. The government encourages the chlorination process and the unit capacity should be over 30kt/a and the content of titanium dioxide should exceed 90%… Read More

Introduction: The Chinese aniline market performed differently and positively than 2016. The average profit hit a new high in recent years. Influenced by the national environmental protection supervision and de-capacity policies, aniline producers released the capacity rationally. Supply and demand had more influences on the aniline market… Read More

Introduction: In 2017, the citric acid market was prosperous. The price hovered at a high level in the first half of the year, and went down from the 3rd quarter until the end of the year. 2017 was the second year since the corn supply-side structural reform. As the main raw material of citric acid, the price of corn was much lower year on year before October 2017.… Read More

The Chinese ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (MSDS) market fluctuated frequently in 2017. The MSDS market moved down in H1 2017 and rebounded strongly in H2 2017. The lowest price in H1 2017 was RMB 8,550/mt and the highest price in H2 2017 was RMB 13,300/mt, increasing 56%. At the end of 2017, the MSDS market declined by RMB 1,500/mt in December on the increasing supply and tepid demand.