China’s demand for titanium dioxide (TiO2) is expected to inch up 1-2% in 2009 despite the global economic downturn, a company source from Dupont Titanium Technologies said at the sidelines of the Chinaplas 2009 exhibition, in Guangzhou. Demand for TiO2 in China, estimated at 700,000 tonnes in 2008, plummeted in the first two months of this year as businesses in the export-driven downstream sector suffered from the financial blowout in the US and Europe, the source said. Firming domestic demand has however picked up the slack since, with sales volume showing signs of improvement from February to March, he added. Other market sources noted that the massive economic stimulus packages rolled out by the Chinese government could be enough the fill the demand shortfall created by the economic downturn this year and the Beijing Olympics last year.