US chemical company Huntsman Corporation has revealed plans to expand its flagship titanium dioxide manufacturing facility at Greatham, UK, by a third.

The company expects the new capacity to be operational in the second half of 2007 and completed in early 2008.

Huntsman said the expansion is the first of several major steps its pigments business plans to take over the next several months to further strengthen its global titanium dioxide market position.

Titanium dioxide is the most commonly used white pigment that gives consumer products brightness and opacity. End-use markets include plastics, textiles, paper and cosmetics.