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Titanium Dioxide Overview Discovered in 1791 by William Gregor, Titanium Dioxide is a reaction product of the ninth most abundant element on earth. Titanium itself was not identified until 1795. Its discoverer, Dr. M.H. Klaproth, named the element Titan, the fabled giant of mythology. Its potential as a pigment was not fully exploited until the early 20th century. Between 1910 and 1915, the first patents were issued for making Titanium Dioxide, and shortly after that two companies were formed to manufacture the pigment, one in Norway and one in the United States. By the late 1920s, several additional producers entered the market, and production reached the modest level of 44 million pounds (20,000 metric tons). Today, there are more than 25 companies in 20 countries producing 8.8 billion pounds (4 million metric tons) of Titanium Dioxide per year. Source and Processing Titanium Dioxide is manufactured in two crystal forms: Rutile and anatase. Rutile possesses a more compact atomic structure which provides a higher refractive index (greater opacity) of 2.76 and improved stability. For this reason, rutile Titanium Dioxide fulfills 80% of the world's requirements. Anatase, on the other hand, is softer, less abrasive and still preferred in food, drug and cosmetic uses. The element Titanium is usually found along with iron in the earth's crust in a mineral oxide called ilmenite (FeTi03) and in a less common ore, also called rutile. These are the usual starting materials for this white pigment. Iron ores with high titanium content are processed for the iron, and the residual material left behind, called slag, is then processed in the manner described below to produce Titanium Dioxide. Titanium Dioxide is obtained primarily from slag by two different processes: Sulfate and chloride. The slag is treated with sulfuric acid, and later, the resultant titanyl sulfate is hydrolysed to form a hydrate which is calcined at 1000ƒC to form Titanium Dioxide. Both the sulfate and the chloride process produce rutile crystalline forms, but only the sulfate process produces anatase Titanium Dioxide, the form that is preferred for food, drug and cosmetic use. Regulatory Status Titanium Dioxide has been used in foods, drugs and cosmetics since at least 1938. It was provisionally listed in the 1960 Color Additive Amendment and was permanently listed in 1963. Its use is regulated under one of the following sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR Title 21:
It is permitted in drugs and cosmetics, including use in the area of the eye without limitation. Titanium Dioxide's use is restricted to 1% by weight in foods, however. It is also approved in most countries, many of which use the WHO/FAO specification as published in FAO Food & Nutrition Paper No. 52/1 and Z. Current U.S. Specifications Titanium Dioxide shall conform to the following specifications:
It is also identified in the Color Index as: Pigment White #6, C.I. #77891, and in Europe as EU: #E171, and in commerce as CAS #13463-67-7 The Color Group Difference In 1962, H. Kohnstamm Co. (acquired by the Color Group in 1988) developed analytical tests and specifications that were higher than the specifications of the other suppliers. In fact, H. Kohnstamm began self-certifying, a practice that all the Color Group business units practice today. In addition, H. Kohnstamm developed two unique forms of Titanium Dioxide: Kowet™and Atlas White™. Kowet is the water dispersible form, and Atlas White is the oil dispersible form. Today, you can obtain Kowet™ and Atlas White™ only from the Color Group. The Color Group also offers Titanium Dioxide in many convenient forms, such as:
Kowet™ and Atlas White™ are packed in 25kg. multi-wall bags, and 50kg. fiber drums. The 25kg. bags are packed 1,000 kgs./pallet with safe, protective shrink wrap plastic sheeting covering each pallet. We can ship you one bag or one truckload, whatever your needs, in any container you prefer. Tell us what your handling problems are and we will provide you with the very best technical service to help you develop effective solutions. We can even batch-package to fit your specific batch requirements. Technical Services The Color Group of Sensient Technologies is a recognized leader in the natural colors and the FD&C colors market. We supply quality products along with unparalleled technical and customer service. The Color Group's technical specialists will assist you with all of your color requirements. Our expert staff will recommend the use of natural colors, FD&C colors, or combinations of both to solve your specific problems.The Color Group's team of national account managers and internal sales personnel is also trained in the use of colors for foods, drugs and cosmetics. Beta Carotene, Carmine, Annatto, Turmeric, Grape Skin Extract, Riboflavin, Titanium Dioxide and blends or combinations of these tough-to-use colorants are immediately available to you from the Color Group. Our synthetic colors include FD&C dyes (including DUSTMASTER®), FD&C Lakes Superior, Spectracoat dispersions, blended colors and liquid colors. |
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 Natural Colors  Titanium DioxideCaramelCarmineAnnatto Extractß-Carotene |
