The same chemical formula, TiO2 and CAS 13463-67-7, appears on pigment for house paint, on tablet coatings and on food colouring. That shared identity is a common source of confusion, and a costly one: a buyer who orders on the CAS number alone may receive a grade that is right for a paint can and wrong for a capsule. This guide explains the difference between grades and what to ask for. It is written for buyers; it is not regulatory advice, and you should confirm the position for your market with your own regulatory adviser.
Supreme Petro Chemicals is a Chennai bulk supplier and distributor, not a manufacturer. The grade we document is rutile KEMOX RC-822 from KMML, a technical pigment grade. We do not offer a food, pharma or cosmetic grade of titanium dioxide on this page.
Why one CAS number covers several quality tiers
A CAS number identifies the substance, not its quality. Our CAS number reference makes the point for several chemicals: the number does not tell you assay, impurity limits, standard or intended use. For titanium dioxide, the practical consequence is that a grade intended for industrial pigment use is made, controlled and documented to a different set of requirements than one intended to go into food, medicine or the skin.
| Tier | Typical use | What the buyer should expect to see (general knowledge) |
|---|---|---|
| Technical pigment grade | Paints, coatings, inks, plastics, masterbatch, rubber, paper | Pigment-performance tests on the COA: TiO2 content, oil absorption, fineness, tinting strength |
| Food grade (E171) | Food colouring, where permitted | A food-additive specification and food-safety documentation; permitted only where local law allows |
| Pharma grade | Tablet and capsule coatings, excipient use | A pharmacopoeial monograph named on the COA |
| Cosmetic grade | Skin-contact and personal-care formulations | Documentation for cosmetic use and, where relevant, particle and surface-treatment details |
General knowledge, not an SPC specification: the table above describes typical expectations only. The first row reflects the KMML COA that SPC holds for KEMOX RC-822; SPC does not supply the last three tiers on this page, and the buyer must verify each tier's requirements for their own market.
What the technical grade COA looks like
The Certificate of Analysis for KMML KEMOX RC-822 lists pigment-performance parameters: TiO2 93.0% min, rutile content 99.0% min, loss on drying 1.0% max, oil absorption 23.0 g/100g max, Hegman fineness 6.0 to 8.0, reducing strength 95 to 110%, residue on 325 mesh 0.2% max, pH of a 10% slurry 5.0 to 8.5 and mass tone close to standard. These are paint and plastics tests. A COA like this does not name a food-additive specification or a pharmacopoeial monograph, which is how you can tell it is not a food or pharma grade. Our guide on reading a titanium dioxide COA explains these lines.
E171 and why regulation differs by region
E171 is the food-additive number for titanium dioxide as a food colour. General knowledge, to be verified by the buyer: rules on titanium dioxide in food, medicines and cosmetics differ by region. Because the position varies by country, this page does not state what is permitted in any market. If your product is a food, medicine or cosmetic, confirm the current rules for the market where you sell with your regulatory adviser, and choose the grade accordingly.
The same chemical, a different risk profile for the handler
Separately from food rules, there is a workplace-safety dimension. The safety data sheet for the rutile grade carries a GHS08 Health Hazard pictogram, signal word WARNING, and a Carcinogenicity Category 2 classification by inhalation of respirable dust (H351), and Section 11 cites IARC Group 2B for inhaled dust. That concerns breathing airborne powder at the factory, so minimise dust, use local exhaust or enclosed handling, and follow the current SDS.
What to ask a supplier if you need a regulated grade
- Name the end use plainly: food, medicine, cosmetic, or industrial pigment.
- Ask which standard or monograph the grade is made and tested to, and ask for it to be printed on the COA.
- Ask for the maker's name and the manufacturing site, and for the safety data sheet for that exact grade.
- Ask whether the grade is documented for your market's rules, and get that statement in writing from the maker.
- Confirm the pack and the handling controls used to keep a regulated grade separate from technical grade.
- Do not accept a technical-grade COA as a substitute for a food or pharma document.
Where the technical grade is the right choice
Rutile technical pigment is the right choice where the product is an industrial one: decorative and industrial paints, surface and powder coatings, printing inks, plastics and masterbatch, rubber compounding, and paper and laminates. In those uses, what matters is the pigment-performance data on the COA, and the buyer's own trial in the formulation. It is not the right choice for a product that is eaten, taken as medicine or applied to the skin.
Rutile or anatase
Within technical pigment, the next question is crystal form. General knowledge, not an SPC specification: rutile is described as the more durable, higher-opacity form and anatase as the softer form; the grade SPC documents is rutile. The sourcing overview in our titanium dioxide supplier guide covers that choice.
Other white pigments are not drop-in substitutes
Zinc oxide is another white inorganic powder, but it is a different chemical with different properties and uses; see the zinc oxide product page. Do not swap one white pigment for another without a formulation trial and, for a regulated product, a regulatory check.
Documentation checklist for a technical grade purchase
- Technical data sheet (SPC-TDS-PWD-011) with the grade name and the maker's limits.
- Safety data sheet for the grade, current revision.
- Batch Certificate of Analysis with every delivery.
- A written statement of intended use on your purchase order: industrial pigment.
- Customs classification confirmed with your customs house agent.
FAQ
Can I use technical titanium dioxide in a food or cosmetic product?
No. A technical pigment grade is not documented for those uses. Use a grade that is made, tested and documented for the regulated use, and confirm the rules for your market.
Does SPC supply E171 or pharma grade titanium dioxide?
Not on this page. The grade documented here is rutile KEMOX RC-822, a technical pigment grade. Send an enquiry if you need something different and we will say plainly whether it can be quoted.
How do I get a quote for the technical grade?
Send the application, the TiO2 content you need, the quantity and the destination. We quote within 4 working hours, and a batch Certificate of Analysis is supplied with every delivery. Details are on the rutile titanium dioxide product page.
Contact
Reach Sanketh on +91 86087 80096 or use the contact page. SPC serves buyers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and South India; our warehouse is at Redhills, Chennai.