Rutile Market

Market Overview

Rutile Market Size is Expected to grow at higher CAGR 5.2% Over the Forecast Period.

Rutile is one of the three naturally occurring forms of titanium dioxide and is an essential and varied mineral. The global market is growing at an exponential rate on account of plethora applications across several industrial verticals, such as automotive, food, paints and coatings, and many others. Most of the rutile production is invested in the manufacturing of refractory ceramic as a pigment in paints, paper, foods, and for the production of titanium metal. Rutile is widely used as a welding electrode covering.

Additionally, it is also found as the inclusion of several gemstones, including star sapphire, and is responsible for the asterism effect of gemstones. Rutile is largely available in nature, and synthetic rutile can be manufactured from ilmenite, a mineral used to produce titanium and titanium dioxide.

Market Dynamics

Widespread Application of Rutile Drives it’s Market Growth

Increasing demand for titanium oxide from different industries such as construction, automotive, packaging, and electronics is accelerating the growth of the market. Rutile is a crucial intermediate and is used for the production of titanium dioxide, which is extensively used in many industries. There is an increased interest in electric or battery-operated vehicles for lower fuel emissions owing to stricter government norms and increased environmental awareness. Rising demand for lightweight automobiles is estimated to be one of the major factors driving the demand for titanium dioxide, having a positive impact on rutile consumption across the globe. The below-mentioned info-graph depicts the world electric vehicle deployment for the period 2014–2018.

Increased preference of consumers for fuel-efficient and low emission vehicles has significantly boosted the demand for lightweight vehicles across the globe. Titanium coatings offer high scratch resistance through its derivate— polycarbonate. Thus, titanium dioxide is largely used in automobile coatings applications backed by its umpteen properties. The higher consumption of titanium dioxide in the automobile industry is fostering the demand for rutile in the global market.  

Snowballing Paints and Coatings Industry Drives the Rutile Market Growth

The primary factor driving the market growth is the snowballing paints and coatings industry. The rutile pigments are vital in the paint industry as many governments have banned the use of lead-based pigments in consumer paint products. For instance, the U.S. government banned the use of consumer paints that were lead-based. Thus, this is expected to drive the market growth as architectural coatings, and consumer coatings make up more than half of the total volume of coatings produced globally. The paints and coatings industry has witnessed a steep growth in recent times strongly backed by huge infrastructure development, increased consumer income, and higher demand for architectural based products.

The material, when finely crushed and processed to remove impurities, becomes a bright white powder that serves as an excellent pigment. It is used to make paint by suspending the powder in a liquid. The liquid serves as a carrier in the paint’s application. Moreover, emerging economies tend to demand more for coatings as there are continuous construction activities taking place in the region.

Regional Analysis

The below-mentioned info-graph depicts the estimated market potential for the regions during the forecast period, 2020–2029. 

Burgeoning industries in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is predicted to be the leading region, owing to the enormous demand for rutile from a large number of industries, increasing GDP growth in developing countries such as China and India. China is expected to record the highest production and consumption of rutile during the forecast period. The material is majorly utilized by the flourishing coatings, plastic, and papermaking industries in China. Further, the government is focusing on channelizing efforts to enlarge export volumes. The primary driver is the demand from various importing countries and high competition from other exporting countries such as India and Brazil. Additionally, the development prospects of the BRICS members are seen to be optimistic and are investing substantially in infrastructure, thus driving the demand for rutile in the region. Emerging economies of Africa and South America are estimated to provide high growth opportunities due to many mining facilities in the region.

Availability of Ilmenite in Australia

Australia is projected to follow China and has a substantial growth rate in the global market owing to its vast reserves. In Australia, most rutile is produced from ilmenite as it naturally occurs in high concentrations and in a form that allows the ready extraction of the rutile. These favorable factors have made ilmenite a competitive raw material for Australia's producers reflected in high export activity. Australia supplies about 40% of the world's ilmenite and about 25% of its rutile.

Segmental Analysis

The global rutile market is presently in the growing phase and is expected to grow throughout the forecast period as it presents ample opportunities in various verticals of several industries across the globe.

Easy Availability of Ilmenite Drives the Synthetic Rutile Segment Growth 

The synthetic rutile segment is expected to hold a larger market share in the global rutile market, owing to the easy availability of ilmenite. The use of ilmenite in the production of synthetic rutile is driving the demand for the segment as it can be produced under a controlled environment. The variation in the amount and type of impurity in the synthetic rutile primarily depends on the source of ilmenite and the method used for extraction. Additionally, synthetic rutile has a relatively higher titanium dioxide content and contains low levels of contaminants than the natural rutile, which is further driving the market growth.

Many companies producing pigments have replaced their raw-material from natural rutile to synthetic rutile as the product can be controlled according to the demand. As a result, the production of the synthetic rutile is considered as economical and ethical, thus increasing its adoption in several end-use industries. Moreover, the higher costs associated with the natural rutile extraction process is also a significant reason for companies preferring synthetic rutile.

Burgeoning Construction Productions Driving the Titanium Dioxide Segment Growth

Titanium dioxide is mined as ilmenite or rutile. As titanium extraction is the dominant application segment for rutile, hence demand is majorly reliant on the titanium metal coupled with titanium dioxide demand.