Lithopone, C.I. Pigment White 5, is a mixture of inorganic compounds, widely used as a white pigment powder. It is composed of a mixture of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide. These insoluble compounds blend well with organic compounds and confer opacity. It was made popular by the cheap production costs, greater coverage. Related white pigments include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide (zinc white), zinc sulfide, and white lead.

North America

Because of health risks, France banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2020. Two years later the European Union also banned titanium dioxide as a food additive. 

Cet article traite de la découverte de lithopone phosphorescent sur des dessins à l'aquarelle, datés entre 1890 et 1905, de l'artiste Américain John La Farge et de l'histoire du lithopone dans l'industrie des pigments à la fin du 19e et au début du 20e siècle. Malgré de nombreuses qualités souhaitables pour une utilisation en tant que blanc dans les aquarelles et les peintures à l'huile, le développement du lithopone comme pigment pour artistes a été compliqué de par sa tendance à noircir lorsqu'il est exposé au soleil. Sa disponibilité et son usage par les artistes demeurent incertains parce que les catalogues des marchands de couleurs n'étaient généralement pas explicites à indiquer si les pigments blancs contenaient du lithopone. De plus, lors d'un examen visuel, le lithopone peut être confondu avec le blanc de plomb et sa phosphorescence de courte durée peut facilement être ignorée par l'observateur non averti. À ce jour, le lithopone phosphorescent a seulement été documenté sur une autre œuvre: une aquarelle de Van Gogh. En plus de l'histoire de la fabrication du lithopone, cet article décrit le mécanisme de sa phosphorescence et son identification à l'aide de la spectroscopie Raman et de la spectrofluorimétrie. En este artículo se discute el descubrimiento del litopón fosforescente en dibujos a la acuarela por el artista americano John La Farge, fechados de 1890 a 1905, y la historia del litopón en la industria de los pigmentos a finales del Siglo XIX y principios del Siglo XX. A pesar de tener muchas cualidades deseables para su uso en pintura para acuarela o pinturas al óleo blancas, el desarrollo del litopón como pigmento para artistas fue obstaculizado por su tendencia a oscurecerse con la luz solar. Su disponibilidad para los artistas y su adopción por ellos sigue siendo poco clara, ya que por lo general los catálogos comerciales de los coloristas no eran explícitos al describir si los pigmentos blancos contenían litopón. Además, el litopón se puede confundir con blanco de plomo durante el examen visual, y su fosforescencia de corta duración puede ser fácilmente pasada por alto por el observador desinformado. A la fecha, el litopón fosforescente ha sido documentado solamente en otra obra mas: una acuarela por Van Gogh. Además de la historia de la fabricación del litopón, el artículo detalla el mecanismo para su fosforescencia, y su identificación con la ayuda de espectroscopía de Raman, y de espectrofluorimetría. Este artigo discute a descoberta de litopônio fosforescente em desenhos de aquarela do artista americano John La Farge datados de entre 1890 e 1905 e a história do litopônio na indústria de pigmento no final do século XIX e início do século XX. Apesar de ter muitas qualidades desejáveis para o uso em aquarela branca ou tintas a óleo, o desenvolvimento do litopônio como um pigmento de artistas foi prejudicado por sua tendência a se escurecer na luz solar. Sua disponibilidade para e uso por parte de artistas ainda não está clara, uma vez que os catálogos comerciais dos vendedores de tintas geralmente não eram explícitos na descrição de pigmentos brancos como algo que contém litopônio. Além disso, o litopônio pode ser confundido com o branco de chumbo durante o exame visual e sua fosforescência de curta duração pode ser facilmente perdida pelo observador desinformado. O litopônio fosforescente foi documentado em apenas um outro trabalho até hoje: uma aquarela de Van Gogh. Além da história da manufatura do litopônio, o artigo detalha o mecanismo para a sua fosforescência e sua identificação auxiliada pela espectroscopia de Raman e espectrofluorimetria.

No. EFSA’s role was limited to evaluating the risks linked to titanium dioxide as a food additive. This included an assessment of relevant scientific information on TiO₂, its potential toxicity, and estimates of human dietary exposure. Any legislative or regulatory decisions on the authorisations of food additives are the responsibility of the risk managers (i.e. European Commission and Member States).

Titanium dioxide morning tips
1 Rutile type titanium dioxide
As of the close of last Friday, the average price of the sulfuric acid rutile titanium dioxide market assessment is 15683 yuan/ton, the domestic market mainstream negotiation reference 15200-16200 yuan/ton, the mainstream factory in hand orders are okay, coupled with the upstream raw materials expected to be strong, the new single offer to maintain a strong state, the market low price supply reduction.
According to the feedback of manufacturers, the recent mainstream factory new single price, the overall market transaction focus has moved up. On the demand side, the terminal in August is still the off-season, many downstream last month to replenish just need inventory, the current batch purchase intention is limited, the market turnover is low. From the supply side, the mainstream manufacturers still have production reduction or maintenance adjustment inventory in the off-season, and the supply side output is low. Some plastics and papermaking related downstream feedback some models have high prices. Recent titanium dioxide raw material price upward support has been enhanced, comprehensive market factors, the current titanium dioxide market into the stable price state after rising.
2 Anatase titanium dioxide
As of the close of last Friday, the average price of the domestic anatene titanium dioxide market was estimated at 13,000 yuan/ton, and the mainstream reference range for negotiation was mostly centered on 12,500-13,500 yuan/ton. The actual direct selling link price is still more reference in 13,000 yuan/ton. Some lower-priced producers offer even lower prices. On the demand side, because the current price is still relatively low, some downstream bargain purchasing. On the supply side, some manufacturers operate at low load or have maintenance plans. The comprehensive market supply and demand situation and the trend of raw material prices rise, the current market actual transaction price is stable and strong, some manufacturers of titanium diox

Price increases of 139-174 USD /MT were seen in Q3 by western suppliers in a tight and buoyant market that faced multiple persistent pulls on supply, including an ongoing lack of Chinese export competitiveness. Furthermore, container constraints hampered its delivery to the rest of the world.

One of the most common worries about titanium dioxide is that it could be a cancer-causing agent. The link between cancer and titanium dioxide traces back to a 1985 study where rats were exposed to high levels of titanium dioxide for two years, causing lung cancer. However, not all experts are convinced by this study.

The FDA's Code of Federal Regulations allows for the legal, regulated use of titanium dioxide in food products, under some restrictions.

Suppliers of lithopone have recognized the growing need for high-quality, reliable products that meet both industry standards and consumer preferences. They have invested in advanced production techniques and stringent quality control measures to ensure that their lithopone products deliver consistent performance. This commitment to quality allows paint formulators to achieve the desired properties in their final products, such as enhanced durability, improved hiding power, and superior color stability over time.

Australia and New Zealand review of TiO2

What is the FDA limit for titanium dioxide?

Analyst Insight

Pigment grade titanium dioxide is produced at a much larger particle size than nano grade. It is used as a colourant to whiten and brighten product formulations. Nano grade titanium dioxide is manufactured into very fine (nano) particles and is transparent and colourless. It is commonly used in sunscreens to provide effective protection from potentially harmful UV rays.