Abstract: A process for preparing anatase titanium dioxide by precipitating hydrous titanium oxide in the absence of added nuclei from a solution of titanium sulphate containing the equivalent of 200 to 300 grams TiO.sub.2 per liter and having an acid to titanium ratio in the range 1.6:1 to 2.2:1, the precipitation being induced by the addition of 5 to 35 parts water per 100 parts titanium sulphate solution. The hydrous titanium oxide is calcined in the presence of an amount of potassium compound equivalent to between 0.20 and 0.60 weight percent calculated as K.sub.2 O based on TiO.sub.2 and between 0.15 and 0.55 weight percent phosphorus calculated as P.sub.2 O.sub.5 based on TiO.sub.2. The hydrous titanium oxide is subjected to calcination in a process having a specified thermal profile. The product of the process is anatase titanium dioxide having an average crystal size larger than conventionally prepared anatase. Said product is easily milled to form a product with a high single crystal fraction.

Abstract: A simple process for preparing acicular calcium sulphate dihydrate is provided in which a slurry of calcium carbonate containing 100 to 800 grams per liter calcium carbonate is mixed with a solution of sulphuric acid containing 80 to 500 grams per liter sulphuric acid in proportions which produce a calcium sulphate slurry having a pH from 0.5 to 1.5. The process can be used to neutralise by-product sulphuric acid from the preparation of titanium dioxide with crushed limestone. Preferably the calcium sulphate slurry is stirred after formation to reduce the level of unreacted carbonate. The calcium sulphate produced has an aspect ratio of at least 4:1 and has excellent properties for use in paper. The process enables the production of acicular calcium sulphate without employing special crystallisation procedures.