The early 1990s were difficult for QIT. A changing market and an uncertain economic climate had an impact on the company. The demand for titanium dioxide from pigment producers using the sulphate process had dwindled, while the demand from producers using the chloride process was on the rise. QIT was cut off from an expanding market, since its product did not meet market requirements. Moreover, fierce competition arrived on the titanium dioxide market, and several QIT customers closed their plants following the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

In the face of this situation, the QIT research centre rolled up its sleeves and developed the UGS process. This innovation enables the company to produce slag of unparalleled quality, with a titanium dioxide content reaching 94.5%. Operations of the ultramodern UGS plant started in 1997. A $430-million investment, the UGS project was the largest construction site in Quebec during 1996 and 1997.

With this brand-new product, QIT set out to conquer an untapped market, while maintaining its enviable position in the traditional titanium slag market with SORELSLAG^®.