Rio Tinto's iron and titanium business comprises the wholly owned QIT-Fer et Titane (QIT) in Canada and the 50 per cent interest in Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa. Both operations smelt ilmenite, which is a titanium and iron-bearing ore. The primary product is titanium dioxide feedstock, a non-toxic compound used in the manufacture of white pigment. More than 90 per cent of the world's titanium-bearing minerals are used to make pigment for paints and surface coatings, plastics and paper, as well as iron and zircon by-products. QIT's proprietary process technology enables it to supply both the sulphate and chloride pigment manufacturing methods. Its upgraded slag slag plant supplies the growing chloride sector and is designed for expansion in line with demand up to a capacity of 600,000 tonnes per year from its current level of 250,000 tonnes.