Natural rutile is a naturally occurring very high grade titanium dioxide feedstock (TiO2 content of 92-95%). Iluka’s natural rutile is produced from our operations in Sierra Leone and Australia and is sold for end use in pigment, welding and many other applications.

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Titanium dioxide uses

Titanium dioxide is a dark coloured mineral which, with further processing, becomes a white, opaque powder. Around 90 per cent of titanium dioxide globally is used as a pigment in the manufacture of paint, plastic, paper and fibre where, in addition to being a non-toxic whitener, it also provides UV and chemical resistance. The wide range of end applications for pigment include house and car paints, laminates, plastic pipes and packaging, inks, clothing, sunscreen, toothpaste and make-up.

Titanium minerals are also used to produce titanium metal, which has the highest strength to weight ratio of all metals. Titanium metal is also chemically resistant, has a high melting point and low conductivity. It is used across a diverse range of applications including aeronautics, medical implants, defence, sporting goods and componentry in the offshore mining and petrochemicals industries.

Welding is a further key market of high grade titanium feedstocks, used in the manufacture of welding flux wire cord, as utilised in the steel construction and ship building industries. Titanium minerals are favoured for their strength and corrosion resistance.

A small, though fast growing component of titanium demand is in the nanomaterials sector where many unique properties of titanium are utilised in such applications as dye-sensitised solar cells, water purification, cancer treatment and noise absorption.
extraMile by Integranet