Chinese chemical group LB Group (Jiaozuo City, Henan; www.lomonbillions.global), formerly known as Lomon Billions (see Plasteurope.com of 23.08.2021), said it intends to invest around USD 315 mn (EUR 275 mn) in its mineral activities this year and boost production of both lithium iron phosphate and the white pigment titanium dioxide.

At its Xiangyang site, the company plans spend half the amount on further processing of titanium intermediate products and install two new chlorine-based lines, each with a TIO₂ capacity of 100,000 t/y, with construction set to begin in the first quarter.

This mining company, which is backwards integrated with an ilmenite mine, would thus increase its production capacity for the pigment to 1.2 mn t/y and move it closer to world leader Chemours (Wilmington, Delaware, USA; www.chemours.com). The capacity is spread over five plants at four Chinese locations in Jiaozuo (Henan), Deyang (Sichuan), Xiangyang (Hubei), and Chuxiong (Yunnan). However, the plants still mainly use the older sulphate production process.

Since the end of 2021, the group’s TIO₂ pigments have been sold internationally under the “Billions” brand and are known as “Xuelian” domestically.