Titanium Dioxide Rutile · High-Opacity White Pigment & Opacifier for Food, Pharma & Supplements

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: Titanium dioxide, rutile crystal form.
• Appearance: white, fine powder with neutral to slightly bluish undertone, providing clean, bright white shades in finished products.
• Crystal form: predominantly rutile, selected for its high refractive index, opacity and photostability.
• Surface treatment (where applicable):
  • Grades may be coated with alumina, silica or other mineral layers to improve dispersion, photostability and compatibility in aqueous or polymeric systems,
  • Surface treatment details are specified per grade and application (food, pharma, nutraceutical).
• Particle size distribution:
  • Controlled to achieve a balance between opacity, gloss and processing behaviour,
  • Typical median particle sizes are optimised for coating suspensions, sugar shells and capsule compounds.
• Functional properties:
  • High hiding power – effective masking of core colours, tablet defects and non-uniformities,
  • Whiteness & opacity – delivers bright, uniform and stable white or pastel shades,
  • Opacifier – increases opacity in capsule shells, coatings and liquid suspensions,
  • Light-scattering performance – supports UV and visible light scattering, relevant to photostability and appearance in some systems.
• Grades: Atlas can offer food-grade and pharmaceutical/nutraceutical grades, subject to local regulations and targeted applications.

Atlas works with R&D and production teams to select appropriate rutile TiO₂ grades that match coating equipment, suspension design, colour targets and regulatory frameworks.

Indicative specification points

Detailed specifications are defined for each project and grade. Typical rutile titanium dioxide parameters include:

• TiO₂ content: generally ≥ 98.0% on dry basis (excluding surface treatment), subject to grade and standard.
• Crystal form: predominately rutile confirmed by suitable analytical techniques.
• Whiteness & colour metrics: controlled via L*, a*, b* or similar colour space measurements.
• Oil absorption value: specified to support coating suspension design and rheology.
• Particle size distribution (PSD): defined (e.g. D₅₀, D₉₀) for spray-coating performance, opacity and gloss.
• pH (aqueous slurry): controlled range to support coating stability and compatibility.
• Loss on drying / loss on ignition: limited to ensure stable handling and composition.
• Soluble salts (e.g. water-soluble, acid-soluble substances): restricted per applicable standards.
• Heavy metals & selected elements: limited in line with food/pharma/nutraceutical purity criteria.
• Microbiological profile: low counts consistent with inorganic pigments produced under GMP/GHP.

Each batch is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO and allergen statements, origin, contaminants, dietary suitability, Halal/Kosher certificates, etc.) is available according to grade and destination markets.

Food & confectionery applications*

• Sugar-coated confectionery & dragees* – provides a bright, opaque white base and supports uniform pastel colouring when blended with approved colours.
• Chewing gum & chewing gum coatings* – used to achieve clean white or pastel shades and to mask core variability.
• Bakery decorations & toppings* – helps create white or tinted icings, sugar decorations and decorative coatings with strong opacity.
• Dairy and dessert decorations* – selected use in decorative or coated inclusions for ice cream, desserts and similar products where authorised.

*The legal status of titanium dioxide in foods varies by region. In some jurisdictions, use in food may be restricted, limited to certain categories or not permitted. Regulatory teams must confirm current rules.

Pharmaceutical & nutraceutical applications*

• Tablet cores & film coatings* – rutile TiO₂ is widely used as an opacifier and white pigment in tablet cores and film coatings to improve appearance, brand identity and light protection.
• Hard & soft capsules* – provides whiteness and opacity in capsule shells to mask core fills and improve aesthetics, often combined with other pigments.
• Oral suspensions & liquid preparations* – used as an opacifier to achieve consistent visual appearance where authorised and technically suitable.

*Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical uses are guided by pharmacopoeial standards, marketing authorisations and risk assessments. Some regions have introduced specific conditions for the use of titanium dioxide in medicines and supplements.

Formulation & processing guidance

• Dosage & regulatory limits:
  • Typical levels are low and defined by desired opacity, whiteness and coating design,
  • Use must remain within local regulatory limits, monographs and safety evaluations for each product type.
• Coating suspensions:
  • Rutile TiO₂ is dispersed in film-former solutions or sugar syrups, usually with plasticisers, anti-tack agents, pigments and colourants,
  • Proper dispersing equipment and sequence of addition are important to avoid agglomeration and achieve smooth, defect-free coatings.
• Compatibility & interactions:
  • Compatible with most cellulosic film formers, acrylic polymers, sugars and polyols,
  • Should be evaluated in combination with other pigments, opacifiers and functional ingredients to ensure colour consistency and stability.
• Particle size & surface treatment:
  • Fine, well-controlled particle size improves opacity and smoothness but may affect viscosity and sprayability,
  • Surface-treated grades can offer improved dispersion, reduced photoactivity and better stability in coatings.
• Regulatory & consumer perspectives:
  • Titanium dioxide continues to be the subject of regulatory reviews and consumer discussion,
  • Brand owners may choose between formulations that use or avoid TiO₂ depending on scientific assessments, regulatory guidance and market positioning.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food-grade and/or pharmaceutical/nutraceutical-grade rutile titanium dioxide depending on project needs and market requirements.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet covering key parameters such as TiO₂ content, crystal form, PSD, whiteness, pH, loss on ignition and impurity limits.
• Additional documentation can include GMO and allergen status, country of origin, heavy metals/contaminants data, dietary suitability, residual solvent declarations and Halal/Kosher certificates where available.
• Manufacturing sites generally operate under recognised ISO, GMP and food safety systems; certificates and audit support can be supplied on request.
• Customers remain responsible for verifying current regulatory status, authorised uses, maximum levels, pharmacopoeial compliance, safety assessments and labelling/claims in each destination market.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: usually 25 kg multi-wall paper bags or fibre drums with inner liners designed to protect against moisture and contamination.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other antioxidants, functional ingredients, coating systems and excipients from the Atlas portfolio.
• Store in a cool, dry place, in tightly closed original packaging, away from moisture, strong odours and direct sunlight to maintain flow and whiteness.
• Typical shelf life is specified on the product specification and COA; customers should confirm colour stability, opacity and coating performance in their own processes and packaging over shelf life.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored quotation, please share your intended applications (confectionery, bakery decorations, chewing gum, tablets, capsules, nutraceuticals, etc.), coating system details (film former, solvent system, equipment), target whiteness/opacity, regulatory environment, annual volume, packaging preferences and documentation/certification needs (pharmacopeial requirements, Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits, etc.). Our team will recommend suitable rutile titanium dioxide grades and system concepts aligned with your technical and regulatory objectives.