Perlite
Derived from volcanic rock, perlite is a natural, lightweight, inert and fireproof rock making it a rock of choice for a wide variety of end uses from cosmetics to construction.
Key figures
#1
World’s leading supplier of expanded perlite
#1
Manufacturer of perlite based filter aids
7%
Annual CAGR of the global perlite market through 2025
A lightweight rock with exceptional properties
Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic rock formed from siliceous lava or ash. Due to rapid cooling, the lava or ash solidifies into a glass-like rock. Over tens of thousands of years, surface and groundwater infiltrates the rock and become trapped in the glass structure. When heated at temperatures from 750 to 1,250°C, perlite expands from four to twenty times its original volume, popping just like popcorn to create countless tiny bubbles. The bubbles created during the heating process account for exceptional physical properties such as low thermal conductivity in perlite and the amazing lightweight of expanded perlite.
These properties are sought after in many applications from filtration and cosmetics to construction and horticulture.
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Physical properties
- Lightweight
- Excellent thermal and acoustic insulating properties
- Elasticity
- Fire resistance
- Thermal stability
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Quality ore reserves
Imerys owns and operates perlite mines in Greece, Sardinia, Turkey, the USA (New Mexico, Arizona and Utah), Argentina, and Chile which feed our many perlite expansion facilities scattered across the globe. Imerys is one of the rare perlite producers able to control the quality chain from mine to finished product.
Imerys focuses its attention on providing innovative, sustainable solutions for the filtration, cosmetics, coatings and construction markets, as well as cost-effective grades for agriculture and industry in general. Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of engineered mineral products derived from expanded perlite.
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As a filtration aid, natural, food-grade Imerys perlites are ideal for filtering wine and fruit juices. Our ImerVin® Efficace range of perlite filter aid is a cost-effective solution for the filtration of wine musts and lees, and is prized by producers of some of the planet’s finest wines.
Perlite is an ideal natural ingredient for cosmetics where gentle abrasion, high absorption and matting effect are desired. Used in body and face scrubs, perlite is an excellent, eco-friendly alternative to polymer-based microbeads.
Used in the construction industry, perlite is a good thermo-acoustic insulator for cavity walls and a valuable, low density fire retardant additive, ideal for meeting current trends towards lightweight building materials and concrete.
In dry mixes and ready-to-use plasters, perlite is an excellent additive for lightweighting. In paints, perlite is the most efficient matting agent; and in varnishes, it provides matting and transparency.
In horticulture, raw perlite is an environment-friendly soil amendment in growing substrates, where it improves plant growth as well as resistance to insects, disease and environmental stress.
The global perlite market is predicted for high growth over the next few years, fuelled by demand for lightweight building materials, decontaminated filter aids and ecological soil amendment solutions. Imerys will continue to strive to find sustainable, innovative perlite solutions to meet growing world demand.
Related markets
June 16, 2021
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.
April 21, 2021
50 houses in Argentina have already been constructed with a new type of bricks made with 90% perlite residue - this is a perfect illustration of applying circular economy to the mineral industry.
March 10, 2021
With a desperate lack of healthcare supplies for Covid-19 patients in Brazil’s largest state, Imerys produced and delivered 3.3 tonnes of cryogenic perlite that was essential for safeguarding bottles of medicinal oxygen at the right temperature.
December 7, 2020
In the pursuit of healthy white teeth, Imerys has found that toothpaste that combines kaolin and delicately engineered perlite provides highly effective dental care and meets consumers’ preference for natural ingredients.