Titanium dioxide CAS No. 13463-67-7

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is formed by the reaction of titanium with oxygen which occurs naturally. Although it exists naturally, minerals such as ilmenite can be used to synthesize it. It is an inert, white-coloured inorganic solid that occurs mainly in two crystalline forms- rutile and anatase (IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, 1989). Even though anatase has a higher toxicity profile, it is still globally used by many industries, such as medicine, cosmetics and food in low concentrations, due to its positive benefit-to-risk ratio. It is a widely used excipient in pharmaceuticals due to its multiple and versatile properties, such as opacity, whiteness and protection from UV light (Fig. 1) (“Quality guidelines | European Medicines Agency (EMA)”). It protects from light by dispersing it and is thus commonly used in tablets to improve stability (Blundell et al., 2022). TiO2 in the food industry is mostly used for coloring food additives and as a white pigment in various food categories. Some of the food products that include TiO2 are chewing gum, chocolate, various bakery products, cheese and candies. It makes food visually appealing and provides color to many colorless products, thus enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of the product (Fig. 1) (Blaznik et al., 2021). ^[1]Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171 in Europe), which contains nanoscale particles (NPs), has been approved and used as a white pigment in various common foods. ^[2]

In medicine, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is effective in antitumor, antibacterial, and antifungal applications due to its photocatalytic properties. Under light, TiO₂ generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that disrupt cellular structures, leading to the death of pathogens and tumor cells.^[3]

[1] Min Ling et al. "Genotoxicity assessment of food-grade titanium dioxide", Toxicology, Volume 513, May 2025, 154089;

[2] Chandni Dand et al. "EFSA prohibits titanium dioxide in food- should pharmaceuticals be next?", Food and Chemical Toxicology, 23 April 2025, 115476;

[3] Karuppiah Nagaraj et al. "Photocatalytic advancements and applications of titanium dioxide (TiO₂): Progress in biomedical, environmental, and energy sustainability", Next Research, Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2025, 100180.

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Jinpu Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.

A leading enterprise in titanium dioxide produced by the sulfuric acid process, with an annual production capacity of 160,000 tons. Its products cover coatings, plastics and other fields, and its technical indicators are at the leading level in the industry.

CNNC Huayuan Titanium Dioxide Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1989, CNNC Huayuan Titanium Dioxide Co., Ltd. is one of the earliest titanium dioxide producers in China, with an annual production capacity of over 400,000 tons.