Main navigation BUSINESS GROUP FINANCE TALENT NEWS & STORIES MEDIA EN FR MINERALS AND MORE BENTONITE Bentonite is a highly absorbent, viscous plastic clay which is a valuable binding, sealing, absorbing and lubricating agent in a huge variety of industries and applications. KEY FIGURES x20 Bentonite swells 20 times its original volume when in contact with water 5.8% Annual CAGR of the global bentonite market from 2015 through 2025 Source: Market Watch ‘THE MINERAL WITH A THOUSAND USES’ Bentonite is a very soft plastic clay consisting predominantly of montmorillonite, a fine particle sized hydrous aluminum silicate and member of the smectite group. Most bentonites are formed by the alteration of volcanic ash and rocks after intense contact with water. Bentonite presents strong colloidal properties and increases its volume several times when coming into contact with water, creating a gelatinous and viscous substance. Its specific properties include swelling, water absorption, viscosity and thixotropy. These properties are in demand in a huge range of industries served by Imerys, earning it the nickname ‘the mineral with a thousand uses’. 1 / 3 Our Bentonite Mine in Milos, Greece. First operated in 1934. Bentonite is an aluminum phyllosilicate clay composed of montmorillonite with the chemical formula (Ca,Na)0,3(Al,Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2 ·n H2O. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Strong colloidal properties Swells in contact with water Water absorption High viscosity High plasticity Thixotropy 1 / 2 A Bentonite rock WORLD-CLASS BENTONITE OPERATIONS IN EUROPE AND SOUTH AFRICA Imerys operates benchmark bentonite mines and processing plants on the island of Milos in Greece, in the southern Cape, South Africa, in the US, China, Hungary and in Bulgaria. Imerys operations supply consistent high-quality bentonite to serve foundry, oil drilling, paper industry, tunneling, ore pelletizing, dam, lake and landfill sealing, water treatment, pet litter and feed markets worldwide. A CRITICAL CONSTITUENT IN FOUNDRY CASTINGS AND OTHER APPLICATIONS In foundry making, Imerys bentonite is a critical constituent in the casting of high quality foundry products where it is used as a binder for the production of green sand molds to ensure defect-free final castings. Bentonite binders are cost-effective, environmental solutions since the majority of the sand and binder can be reused in a cyclical system. In iron ore pelletizing Imerys bentonite is used as a binder for the formation of iron ore pellets. Pellets are balls produced from iron ore or concentrates and are used as feed material for iron making. Imerys bentonite adds significant value to the pelletizing process and the quality of the final product. Bentonite is used in drilling and tunneling fluids to lubricate and cool cutting tools, remove cuttings and help prevent blowouts. It is a common component in drilling mud used to curtail drilling fluid invasion due to its propensity to aid in the formation of mud cakes. Imerys sealing bentonites are suitable for sealing liners in earth-construction, waste deposits, water engineering and lakes due to their high water absorption capacity as well as high swelling potential, ensuring low water permeability in the application. In the paper industry, the high surface area of bentonite in combination with its unique properties, makes it ideal for various applications. Bentonite is used in retention systems and for the control of stickies and pitch. Furthermore it helps to improve the loop water treatment which reduces the water consumption. Bentonite is ideal for use in cat litter due to its unique water absorption, swelling, and odor controlling properties. It is an excellent anti-caking agent for animal feed. With demand for bentonite likely to rise for green moulding sand casting, oil drilling, pelletizing and cat litter applications, bentonite markets are slated to grow over the next few years. Imerys is set to supply consistent quality products to feed these markets. BENTONITE RELATED NEWS NEWS JUNE 16, 2021 Liquid assets: the surprising role of minerals in wine filtration Filtration is a commonly observed practice by winemakers across the world. For decades, minerals such as diatomite and perlite have played a vital role in the process – removing unwanted substances and leaving wine producers with clear, quality wines. NEWS AUGUST 07, 2020 Providing comfort to pets through mineral-based cat litter Bentonite clay creates a clumping pet litter that is convenient for cat owners. NEWS MAY 05, 2020 Protecting against the threat of toxins to animals How do minerals help produce a naturally healthier feed source for livestock? 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