Main navigation BUSINESS GROUP FINANCE TALENT NEWS & STORIES MEDIA EN FR MINERALS AND MORE BALL CLAY Ball clay is an extremely rare rock, only found at a handful of locations around the world. Ball clay is particularly valued as a base material in the manufacture of ceramics. KEY FIGURES #1 World producer of raw materials for ceramic bodies for sanitaryware #1 European producer of raw materials for porcelain tableware A RARE ROCK PRIZED FOR ITS PLASTICITY Ball clays are kaolinitic clays that commonly consist of 20–80% kaolinite, 10–25% mica, 6–65% quartz, as well as organic matter. Ball clay is formed from the weathering and transportation by water of parent rocks. Seams in the same deposit will vary in composition, depending on the quantity of the principal and accessory minerals. Ball clays are fine grained, highly plastic clays, which are principally used in the manufacture of ceramic whiteware and sanitaryware where they are appreciated for their plasticity, unfired strength and their light color on firing. Selected clays can even give pure white end products. Among others, ball clays are also used in refractories, in polymers, in adhesives and sealants and in horticulture as soil amendments. 1 / 2 Our extraction ball clay site in Tournon Saint Martin (France) Ball clay is a silicate clay rock of which kaolinite is the main constituent: Al2Si2O5(OH)4. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES High plasticity Excellent workability High unfired strength Rheological stability Controlled residue Refractoriness 1 / 2 Ball clay crushed WIDE PORTFOLIO PROVIDING SELECTED BLENDS Imerys mines ball clay from its deposits in England, France, Thailand and the United States. We also make use of ball clay blending platforms in Egypt, India, Indonesia and Brazil to ensure that we produce ball clays that address the technical challenges of each specific region. By carefully processing and blending selected clays from different locations we can provide high quality products for a range of applications. A CRUCIAL CONSTITUENT OF CERAMICS Combined with kaolin, Imerys ball clays provide the cohesion and workability necessary for the creation of ceramic parts such as sanitaryware. Used with kaolin, feldspar and quartz in tableware, ball clay confers high plasticity and a good white-fired color to the end product. In wall and floor tiles, ball clays are prized for their plasticity and bonding properties. In glazes and engobes they ensure a perfect finish. Electrical porcelain insulators contain plastic clays to provide insulation from high voltage currents. For refractory applications, Imerys ball clays and chamottes with a high alumina content are used as binders for refractory brick production or as additives to improve plasticity during refractory installation. Imerys plastic clays are also used as fine multi-functional fillers and extenders to enhance the performance of plastics, rubber, adhesives and sealants, fertilizers and insecticides. Bathroom sink made with Ball Clay. Ball Clay is used to produce the bidet and toilets At Imerys, we have a deep understanding of our customer's requirements and their markets through more than 200 years of combined experience. Our teams will continue to help customers meet their technical challenges, providing local support and the best ball clay blends to enhance their performance. REFRACTORIES CERAMICS CONTACT GROUP FINANCE TALENT MEDIA Follow us © Imerys 2021 Cookies Policy Personal Data Legal Terms WE USE COOKIES Our website uses cookies to allow for a personalized experience on our website and improve your user experience. For more information about our cookies please read our Cookie preferences. Mandatory Cookies These cookies are essential to enable you to navigate our website and use its features. These cookies are session-specific and expire after your visit to the website. Performance Cookies These cookies allow us to improve the user experience & performance of our site for our visitors, by measuring website usage statistics such as visits, top pages, and traffic. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Accept all Save my preferences