Global chemical company Huntsman has developed a brand new, super pure grade of titanium dioxide (TiO2) that can be used to improve the opacity of premium cosmetic products that need to provide excellent uniform coverage.

The Hombitan AFDC 101 pigment is a unique, high purity, uncoated anatase grade of TiO2 with a very narrow particle size distribution. “Delivering better opacity performance than standard white pigment grades, Hombitan AFDC 101 pigment is ideally suited for use in high-end cosmetic formulations including foundations, eye shadows, face powders and lipsticks,” said the company.

The Hombitan AFDC 101 pigment, which is of mineral origin, is created using a special process technology devised by Huntsman, which gives it greater control over crystal size and particle distribution. Using its enhanced crystal size control technology, Huntsman is able to produce crystal size distributions that are optimized to reflect selected wavelengths of light. In the case of Hombitan AFDC 101 pigment, the result is a product that combines the softness of an anatase pigment with the opacity of a rutile pigment.

The launch of Hombitan AFDC101 pigment represents a major breakthrough in our TiO2 offering to the premium cosmetics industry. It is the first product made using our enhanced crystal size control technology, which gives us the ability to fine-tune both particle size and distribution to suit specific applications. Hombitan AFDC 101 pigment has consistently fine particles over a consistently narrow distribution. There is no other product that offers the same properties,” said Reiner Mertscheit, Sales and Marketing Director at Huntsman.

Used as a white, natural, identical colour additive, Hombitan AFDC 101 pigment can work on its own or in combination with colour pigments. According to Huntsman, it disperses rapidly into formulations and is ideal for use in aqueous systems such as creams, which use water as a wetting agent.

Hombitan AFDC 101 pigment is compliant with relevant regulations including ISO 9001 (quality); ISO 14001 (environment); ISO 18001 (health and safety); ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 (food); and Ecocert / Cosmos. It is also satisfies kosher and halal requirements.