MATERIALS | TITANIUM DIOXIDE


Explaining its technology, TNG says the tradition-


EU classification of certain forms of TiO2


as a Cat 2


carcinogen comes into effect in October 2021


al sulphate route typically uses an ilmenite feed- stock, which has a high content — typically 47% — of iron oxide. The rutile feedstock used in the more modern chloride process contains around 10% iron oxide. TNG uses a pigment production process based on the sulphate route, but has developed a hydrometallurgical process that creates a feedstock that is low in iron oxide – just 2.3% – making the overall process much more sustainable. Another newcomer is Avertana in New Zealand.


Founded in 2012, it has developed technology for extracting mineral and chemical ingredients – includ- ing TiO2


– from waste slag created during steel The EU position on TiO2 The EU harmonised classification of certain forms of TiO2 as a


suspected carcinogen (Cat 2) is due to come into force on 1 October 2021. The Brussels-based Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association (TDMA, part of CEFIC) provided the following update on the situation as it sees it. “Since the publication in the Official Journal on 18 February


2020, the Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association and its members have attempted to find a practical and defensible interpretation of the classification to enable meaningful and consistent compliance given the uncertainties and ambiguities created in the classification. In June 2020, the TDMA’s interpretation was made available for downloading by businesses manufacturing, importing, or using TiO2


and products containing TiO2 . It expresses the TDMA’s


interpretation of the scope and application of the new classifica- tion in order to help manufacturers, importers, and downstream users in applying this classification to the extent possible. However, considering the uncertainties inherent to this classification, alternative interpretations may exist. Ultimately only the Court of Justice of the European Union is competent to authoritatively interpret Union law. The document is available for download here. In addition, TDMA and its members have made their expertise available in multiple other areas that may be affected by the classification for instance, in relation to waste, cosmetics and updated safety data sheets. The TDMA continues to disagree with the classification of TiO2


as there is no reliable, acceptable, or available data to suggest that TiO2


of a wider group of TiO2


2020 an action to the General Court of the European Union seeking annulment of the harmonised classification. The decision of the General Court is expected to take two to


three years and therefore will be after the classification comes into force on 1 October 2021. In the meantime, TDMA and its members will focus on finding a way to implement the regulation from that date despite the uncertainties of the classification.” � www.tdma.info


34 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | January/February 2021


causes cancer. The Member Companies of the TDMA as a part producers and users submitted on 13 May


manufacturing. “Avertana’s technology not only consumes the solid by-products of steelmaking but also avoids mining and further waste generation by conventional industrial processes,” the company claims. It says it has brought together the necessary capital and expertise with the proven skills required to scale its industrial process from laboratory to commercial production. Working with slag from BlueScope New Zealand


Steel, as well as samples obtained from steel mills in China, Russia, and South Africa, Avertana has now confirmed that its process could be applicable to more than 200m tonnes of slag globally, providing a global platform for technology deployment. In 2019, Avertana won the Sustainability catego-


ry at the Institute of Chemical Engineering’s IChemE Global Awards for its process, which consumes 4-6 tonnes of slag to make a tonne of TiO2


pigment. The remaining balance is converted into chemicals used in water treatment and fertilisers, as well as inputs to make building materials such as cement and wallboard. The road to success can not be guaranteed


though. In October 2015, our sister magazine Compounding World reported on a development at Canadian start-up company Argex Titanium that promised improved economics for high-quality TiO2


pigment. Things appeared to be going well


and, in June 2019, the company announced a strategic agreement for a multiplant development deal with a major Chinese engineering procure- ment and construction company that it said would address growing demand in China. But, just a few days later, Argex Titanium filed for bankruptcy, saying it was unable to raise sufficient funds to complete construction of its own production plant. The company is no longer trading.


New introductions New TiO2


pigments for plastics are not thick on the ground at the moment, but there are some. Tiona www.pipeandprofile.com


IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK


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