Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium(IV) oxide or titania is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula TiO2. When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white. It is a white, water-insoluble solid, although mineral forms can appear black. As a pigment, it has a wide range of applications, including paint, sunscreen, and food coloring.
The most important application areas are paints and varnishes as well as paper and plastics, which account for about 80% of the world's titanium dioxide consumption. Other pigment applications such as printing inks, fibers, rubber, cosmetic products, and food account for another 8%. The rest is used in other applications, for instance the production of technical pure titanium, glass and glass ceramics, electrical ceramics, metal patinas, catalysts, electric conductors, and chemical intermediates.