Resumen de Ukraine's TiO2 industry buckles under pressure

Industrial Minerals

• According to industry sources, some Ukrainian pigment producers may halt operations within months. Crimea Titan PJSC, Ukraine's largest TiO[subscript]2 manufacturer, has found itself trapped by the fallout from the ongoing conflict following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in March last year. Due to the sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) and US against Russian companies, Crimea Titan has found it practically impossible to conclude deals or receive payments.

  Crimea Titan has been Ukraine's largest producer of TiO[subscript]2 from Soviet Union times. Since Ukraine gained independence from Russia in 1991, the company has accounted for 74% of the country's ilmenite and rutile exports. Now, it is fighting for its survival. After the annexation of Crimea, the company found itself in a situation where its resources are effectively based in one country (Ukraine) while its main manufacturing facilities are located in another (Russia).