Kronos Worldwide, Inc. engages in the production and marketing of value-added titanium dioxide pigments. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and currently employs 2,263 full-time employees. The company went IPO on 2003-12-04. The firm provides a variety of performance properties. The company serves domestic and international paint, plastics, decorative laminate and paper manufacturers. The company produces TiO2 in a rutile crystalline form. Rutile TiO2 is manufactured using both a chloride production process and a sulfate production process. The company produces TiO2 pigments that improve the optical and physical properties of plastics, including whiteness and opacity. The company is used to provide opacity to items such as containers and packaging materials, and vinyl products such as windows, door profiles and siding. The company provides hiding power, neutral undertone, brightness and surface durability for housewares, appliances, toys, computer cases and food packages. The company is also used in the production of paper, including laminate paper, filled paper and coated paper to provide whiteness, brightness, and color stability.