Recently, Yamamoto Trading Co., Ltd. (YTC) announced its collaboration with Kuncai to incorporate Kuncai's globally first extraction method-produced titanium dioxide into its supply system for overseas market sales. The product has garnered positive feedback from the application end and aligns with the environmental transition trend of the titanium dioxide downstream industry.

YTC has expressed its eagerness to explore global market opportunities in partnership with Kuncai, leveraging the green and sustainable product TiOEX. This collaboration aims to significantly reduce or even achieve zero carbon footprints for downstream customers, contributing to the industry's high-quality development. Additionally, the company has recently partnered with Shotashima Materials Science and Technology to launch a plastic-grade titanium dioxide for masterbatch (MB) applications, with plans to introduce coatings application products in 2024. Developments for ink, cosmetic, and electrical material applications are also underway.

Amidst the global push towards "carbon neutrality," green sustainability in the industry chain is emerging as a core market demand. Regulatory standards are tightening, with the European Union set to impose "carbon tariffs" on certain imported products from carbon-intensive industrial sectors starting in 2026. The "carbon footprint" is poised to become a key metric for assessing the core competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises, exerting sustainable pressures on both upstream and downstream entities.

The market's ustainability preference often extends throughout the entire value chain, presenting greater challenges to upstream raw material enterprises. To achieve net-zero emissions, carbon-intensive manufacturing enterprises must actively monitor the carbon emissions and environmental impacts across all production stages, from cradle to gate. They will enforce stringent supplier scoring mechanisms, integrating green indicators such as environmental footprint into their selection criteria.

1. Innovative Advantages of Kuncai's Pioneering Extraction Method Process
Kuncai's TiOEX titanium dioxide, produced using the globally first extraction method, exemplifies sustainable titanium dioxide that is in step with the times. This method reduces resource waste in raw materials and achieves full recycling throughout the production process, resulting in no solid waste and carbon emissions that are only 33% of those produced by mainstream processes. This approach fosters the sustainable development of the titanium dioxide powder industry through technological advantages in energy saving, emission reduction, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement.

2. Robust and Strategic Supply Chain Management System

Kuncai deepens its industry chain to achieve self-sufficiency in ore, with the long-term plan of the Mapochs mine project in South Africa expected to yield 5 million tons of high-grade titanium concentrate annually. The effective introduction of overseas mineral resources fully mitigates the cost imbalances caused by supply chain crises.

3. Proactive Carbon and Waste Reduction Initiatives

Kuncai's commitment to carbon reduction and waste reduction is evident through its zero-carbon electricity generation from rooftop photovoltaic power projects. It also achieves low-carbon energy through gradient steam recovery and the reuse of nuclear power plant wastewater heat, alleviating the sustainable pressures on downstream and terminal markets.