About - KRONOS Worldwide, Inc

We Are Brighter together

KRONOS is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments, or TiO₂, a base industrial product used in a wide range of applications. We take pride in making the world brighter with the most effective whitening agent in the world – titanium dioxide (TiO₂).

TiO₂ is a white pigment playing a key role in the production of paints and coatings, plastics, papers, fibers as well as in specialties such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, glass, and ceramics.

It has the highest opacity of all white pigments due to its exceptionally high refractive index and subsequent high light-scattering power.

Applications using TiO₂ are characterized by superior whiteness and brightness, a neutral tone, outstanding dispersibility and excellent tint reduction in colored media.

TiO₂ is What We Do

Titanium dioxide is an achromatic, inorganic colorant with a very high refractive index. It has an exceptionally high reflectance and displays little or no absorption in the wavelength range of visible light. More than 90% of standardized color palettes contain TiO₂ pigment due to its superior hiding power. TiO₂ pigments are non-toxic and easy to disperse. It is resistant to high temperatures, as well as prevailing atmospheric influences. TiO₂ pigments are insoluble in water, organic solvents, alkalis, and most inorganic acids. There are no adequate substitutes for TiO₂ pigments in most applications.

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Our People and Communities

Our People

We are committed to our people and the value they add to our organization.

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Our Communities

We strive to give back within the communities where we live and work.

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Our Leadership

Our leadership is dedicated to strategic initiatives to continuously improve for our people, our business, and our customers.

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Our Brand Statement

At KRONOS we contribute to our customers’ success by investing in transformation, enduring partnerships, and innovation.

We are building a brighter future in which businesses and people can shine through collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Our global culture

At KRONOS, we strive to build a culture of mutual respect and to create a workplace in which employees are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. Our global employee culture is focused on training, development, leadership, and succession planning to grow the future leaders of KRONOS. Our values reflect a commitment to our people around a shared purpose and vision.

Communication

We express ourselves clearly, accurately, and to the point. This creates a trusting and open environment where people feel they can express ideas, ask questions, and raise concerns. We take the time to listen to each other, and we are never too busy to say hello. Everyone feels welcome here, wherever they are in the world.

Teamwork

We are stronger together. We work side by side to get the job done. We are connected across borders through shared understanding, transparency, and common goals. We lend a hand to each other, no matter who or where we are.

Leadership

We are stronger together. Working side by side with transparency and shared goals, collaboration is how we succeed. By engaging openly with colleagues and partners, we
spark innovation, solve complex challenges, and achieve outstanding results. We value every voice and create an environment of respect, communication, and support. Wherever we are, we help each other and move forward together.

Customer focus

We believe our success is tied to our customer’s success. As such, the customer is a key component of all business decisions. We know each employee can positively impact our customer relationship, and as a result, knowing and caring about our customers is everyone’s job. We succeed when our customers recognize and pay for the value we bring.

Philantrophy

We are dedicated to making a positive impact in our local communities. Philanthropy is
the foundation of our company and the driving force behind our purpose. Our commitment to philanthropy goes beyond business, it’s a reflection of
our responsibility to contribute to a better, more equitable world. We aim to leave a legacy of compassion, generosity, and positive change.

1916

KRONOS opens first commercial production of TiO₂ in the world at the Titan Co, A/S (TAS) production plant in Fredrikstad, Norway, and the first patent for the production of TiO₂ anatase pigment by sulfate process.

1927

Founded in 1902, the Titania AS ilmenite mine in Hauge i Dalane, Norway joins the company to provide TiO₂ production feedstock. IG Farbenindustrie AG, Germany and Titan Co. A/S, Norway founded Titangesellschaft mbH in Leverkusen, Germany to produce titanium compounds.

1928

Titangesellschaft mbH starts sulfate TiO₂ production in Leverkusen, Germany. The manufactured product is called Titanweiß which is a mix product of 25% Titaniumdioxide TiO₂ and 75% Barium sulfate BaSO₄.

1939

A breakthrough in TiO₂ technology – Titangesellschaft plant in Leverkusen, Germany started the first rutile TiO₂ pigment production in the world.

1957

The sulfate plant opens in Varennes, Canada. Constructed by Canadium Titanium Pigments Ltd.

1958

Founding of “Société Chimique des Dérivés du Titane”. The production of titanium dioxide according to sulfate process starts in Ghent, Belgium.

1969

Nordenham, Germany sulfate plant opens.

1974

The Water Treatment Chemical Division is founded originally to put TiO₂ production by-products, like iron salts as well as other precipitants and flocculants, to beneficial reuse in the water treatment industry – now expanded under the name, ecochem®, to service several applications in various industries.

1986

Contran Corporation acquires controlling interest in the KRONOS business linking KRONOS to Contran’s philanthropic mission.

1989

Belgium plant is converted from sulfate to the chloride process. Plant capacity goes up to over 40,000 metric tons per year.

1992

Louisiana Pigment Company located in Lake Charles, Louisiana opens its chloride plant.

2016

KRONOS celebrates its 100-year anniversary.

Naturally occurring oxide

Titanium dioxide is made from natural materials from the earth. It has the highest refractive index of any known material, even the diamond. It provides maximum whiteness and opacity.

Chloride & sulfate processes

We produce two types of TiO₂: rutile pigments by the sulfate or the chloride process and anatase pigments by the sulfate process only.

Titanium dioxide

We carefully extract TiO₂ out of naturally occurring ores and refine the TiO₂ into a uniform particle size. When dry it resembles powder.

Applications

Titanium dioxide is an essential component in many important applications, such as coatings, plastics, paper, laminates and inks.

Further Information

Our Locations

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KRONOS Cares

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ESG

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Virtual Showroom

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Applications

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Brighter
together

We Are Brighter together

TiO₂ is What We Do