Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous coating composition comprising by dry weight based on total dry weight of the coating composition, from 2% to 16% a small-particle-size polymeric dispersion of (co)polymeric particles having an average particle size of from 30 to 90 nm, and from 25% to 70% of titanium dioxide particles; from 50% to 100% of the titanium dioxide particles are encapsulated by a polymer shell of (co)polymeric particles.

Abstract: Provided is a pigment composition comprising (i) a plurality of particles of sulfate-process titanium dioxide, (ii) 0.1% to 25% by weight based on the weight of said particles of a water-soluble first polymer that comprises polymerized units of one or more sulfur acid monomer, and (iii) 10% to 200% by weight based on the weight of said particles of a second polymer that at least partially encapsulates said particles.