Imerys

Ball clay or ‘plastic clay’ as it is sometimes referred to, is a very rare mineral comprising a mixture of kaolinite, mica and quartz as well as some organic matter. Imerys ball clays are valued for their plasticity, excellent workability, unfired strength and whiteness. Certain clays can even give pure white end products.

The popular product ranges used are Hymod™ and Hyplas™.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) or diatomite is a sedimentary rock composed of the fossilized remains of single-cell aquatic plants called diatoms. A wide range of engineered mineral products derived from Diatomaceous Earth are used in a host of applications due to their highly unique diatomic structures and low densities, including filtration for liquid/solid separation.

The popular product range used is Celite®.

Ground Calcium Carbonate is formed from the sedimented remains of aquatic organisms which have built up over time to on the sea bed to form rock. The most common forms are chalk, limestone and marble. They are used as extenders and functional fillers in the plastics & film, rubber, adhesive and coatings markets.

The popular product ranges used are PolCarb™, ImerCarb™ and ImerSeal™.

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) is a synthetic form that has the same chemical composition as GCC, but with different properties in terms of particle size distribution, particle shape, and even higher purity. PCC grades have high brightness and make for excellent multi-functional fillers for use in paints and coatings, plastics, rubber, adhesives and sealants.

The popular product ranges used are Socal® and Winnofil®.

Kaolin is used as a semi-reinforcing filler in a wide variety of rubber applications, it’s used to improve mechanical and electrical properties in cable insulation. In the plastics sector, kaolins are used extensively as anti-block and infrared barrier additives in plastic films. In coatings and inks a range of super-dispersible, calcined, FCC and hydrous kaolin minerals enable the modification of important paint properties such as whiteness, opacity, gloss, rheology, stability and stain resistance. As well as controlling paint quality and performance, these minerals can also deliver significant Titanium Dioxide savings through formulation extension.

The popular product ranges used are Polwhite™, Speswhite™, PoleStar™ and Molochite™.

Leucophyllite is a unique coalescence of mica, quartz and chlorite. This mineral can be used to improve film hardness, abrasion resistance and binder reduction. This combination of properties make Leucophyllite a valuable ingredient in both decorative and industrial paints where it is particularly prized for the durability it provides, improving mechanical and weather resistance. They also demonstrate very low resin demand allowing paint manufacturers to reduce the amount of solvent they use in the finished product.

The popular product range used is Plastorit®.

Mica is a naturally occurring, highly platy phyllosilicate of aluminum and potassium whose particles resemble the pages of a book. Mica is unique due to the broad range of particle sizes naturally available, from microns up to several centimeters. Imerys’ Muscovite and Phlogopite Mica’s provide solutions for industries such as plastics, rubber, coatings and construction. Their range includes extenders and functional fillers that provide good barrier effects and rheology control in various applications such as plasters and mortars, to improve mixing and trowelling properties and flexibility of finished products.

The popular product range used is Suzorite®.

Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic rock, which contains water that expands into steam to produce a foamed structure. When heated to a suitable point, perlite is capable of expanding up to twenty times its original volume creating tiny bubbles. This accounts for the exceptional light weight and insulating properties of expanded perlite. Perlite is used in a host of applications due to their highly unique structures and low densities, including filtration for liquid/solid separation.

The popular product ranges used are Europerl® and OpTiMat®.

Talc is a hydrated magnesium silicate, formed many millions of years ago. As a natural ore, talc is always found in combination with at least one other mineral, the most common being chlorite, which is a chemically and structurally similar ore. Other associated minerals often found with talc include dolomite and magnesite. Talc’s softness, lamellar structure and hydrophobicity make it an essential ingredient and process enabler in a wide range of end products including paints, adhesives, plastics and rubber.

The popular product ranges used are Luzenac, Mistrofil®, Mistron®, Steashield® and Jetfine®.

Wollastonite is a naturally occurring mineral with a chemical composition of calcium, silicon and oxygen. This mineral is formed when limestone, or other high-calcium rocks undergo high temperature and pressure changes sometimes in the presence of silica-bearing fluids. This highly versatile mineral is characterized by its high whiteness, unique needle-like, or ‘acicular’, structure, high brightness, low moisture and oil absorption, and high heat stability. Imerys engineers these properties to meet the needs of the plastics, paints, friction products and adhesives and sealants producers.

The popular product ranges used are Wollastocoat® and Nyad®.