Site Selection Continues for a Grassroot Titanium Dioxide Plant in China

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Huntsman Tioxide Limited (Billingham, UK) is performing site evaluations for a grassroot titanium dioxide production plant in China. Huntsman has narrowed the search down to five possibilities with Ningbo being the leading candidate. A final decision will be reached by the end of this year. The production capacity of the titanium dioxide plant will be 50,000 metric tons a year and will incorporate Huntsman's ICON Chloride process technology, a plasma-based integrated chlorination and oxidation unit. Huntsman will select a turn-key contractor and expects construction on the $150 million facility to begin by June 2004, with completion scheduled for early 2006.

Huntsman Tioxide is the largest producer of titanium dioxide pigments in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Huntsman employs over 3,000 people and has facilities in seven countries. The pigments are used in coatings, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foods, plastics, paper, and inks.