The Economics of Perlite

Table of contents

1 Summary

2 Occurrence, properties and reserves of perlite

2.1 Reserves of perlite

3 Mining and processing of perlite

3.1 Mining and beneficiation of perlite

3.2 Expansion of perlite

3.2.1 Perlite microspheres

4 World production of perlite

4.1 Production capacity for unexpanded perlite by company

5 Producers and processors of perlite by country

5.1 Algeria

5.2 Argentina

5.2.1 Multiquim SRL

5.2.2 Perfiltra S.A.

5.2.3 Other producers

5.3 Armenia

5.3.1 Dicalite Armenia

5.3.2 Other producers

5.4 Azerbaijan

5.5 Australia

5.5.1 Chillagoe Perlite

5.5.2 Perlite Suppliers Australia

5.5.3 Australian perlite expanders

5.6 Austria

5.6.1 Stauss-Perlite GmbH

5.6.2 Other producers

5.7 Belarus

5.8 Belgium

5.8.1 Dicalite Europe NV

5.8.2 Other producers

5.9 Brazil

5.10 Bulgaria

5.10.1 Bentonit AD

5.11 Canada

5.11.1 BBF Resources Inc.

5.11.2 Canadian perlite expanders

5.12 Chile

5.13 China

5.13.1 Shangtianti Mining District

5.13.1.1 Xinyang?Athenian Mining Co Ltd/ S&B Industrial Minerals (Henan) Co Ltd

5.13.1.2 Other mines in Shangtianti

5.13.2 Other identified perlite mines

5.13.3 Other Chinese perlite expanders

5.13.4 Consumption of perlite in China

5.14 Croatia

5.15 Cyprus

5.16 Czech Republic

5.17 Denmark

5.18 Djibouti

5.19 El Salvador

5.20 France

5.21 Georgia

5.22 Germany

5.23 Greece

5.23.1 Aegean Perlite SA

5.23.2 Bouras Company

5.23.3 S&B Industrial Minerals S.A.

5.23.4 Greek perlite expanders

5.24 Hungary

5.24.1 Perlit-92 Kft

5.24.2 Hungarian perlite expanders

5.25 Iceland

5.26 India

5.26.1 Indian perlite expanders

5.27 Iran

5.28 Israel

5.29 Italy

5.29.1 Ceca Italiana S.r.l.

5.29.2 Sarda Perlite S.r.l.

5.29.3 Italian perlite expanders

5.30 Japan

5.30.1 Mitsui Mining and Smelting Company

5.30.2 Other perlite mining companies

5.30.3 Japanese perlite expanders

5.31 Kazakhstan

5.32 South Korea

5.32.1 South Korean perlite expanders

5.33 Macedonia

5.34 Malaysia

5.35 Mexico

5.35.1 Cia Minera Oriental S.A. and Dicalite de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

5.35.2 Termolita S.A. de C.V.

5.35.3 Other perlite producers

5.36 Morocco

5.36.1 Perlite Roche

5.37 Mozambique

5.38 Netherlands

5.39 New Zealand

5.39.1 Industrial Processors Ltd

5.40 Norway

5.41 Peru

5.42 Philippines

5.42.1 Induplex

5.42.2 United Perlite Corporation

5.42.3 Filipino perlite expanders

5.43 Poland

5.44 Romania

5.45 Russia

5.46 Saudi Arabia

5.47 Serbia and Montenegro

5.48 Slovak Republic

5.48.1 Kerko-Perlit a.s.

5.49 Slovenia

5.50 South Africa

5.50.1 Pratley Perlite Mining Co (Pty) Ltd

5.50.2 South African perlite expanders

5.51 Spain

5.51.1 Spanish perlite expanders

5.52 Syria

5.53 Tajikistan

5.54 Thailand

5.55 Turkey

5.55.1 Eti Mine Works General Management

5.55.2 Harborlite Aegean Endustri AS

5.55.3 IPM Perlit Mining and Construction Co Ltd

5.55.4 Pabalk Maden Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. / Saba Madencilik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.

5.55.5 Perlitas Istanbul Perlit Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS

5.55.6 Other Turkish perlite mining companies

5.55.7 Turkish perlite expanders

5.56 Ukraine

5.56.1 JSC Beregovsky

5.56.2 Ukrainian perlite expanders

5.57 UK

5.57.1 UK perlite expanders

5.58 USA

5.58.1 American Perlite Company

5.58.2 Basin Perlite Company

5.58.3 Cornerstone Industrial Minerals Corporation

5.58.4 Dicaperl Minerals, Inc.

5.58.5 Eagle-Picher Filtration and Minerals (EPFM)

5.58.6 Idaho Minerals LLC

5.58.7 Supreme Perlite

5.58.8 USG Corporation

5.58.9 Wilkins Mining and Trucking, Inc.

5.58.10 World Minerals, Inc.

5.58.11 US expanded perlite production

5.58.12 US perlite expanders

5.58.13 Other US perlite organisations

6 International trade in perlite

6.1 Exports of unexpanded perlite

6.2 Imports of unexpanded perlite

7 Consumption of perlite

7.1 Consumption of perlite in the Americas

7.2 Consumption of perlite in Western Europe

7.3 Consumption of perlite in the FSU/Eastern Europe

7.4 Consumption of perlite in Asia Pacific

7.5 Consumption of perlite in Africa/Middle East

7.6 Outlook for perlite consumption

7.6.1 Americas

7.6.2 Western Europe

7.6.3 FSU/Eastern Europe

7.6.4 Asia Pacific

7.6.5 Africa/Middle East

8 End uses for perlite

8.1 Use of perlite in building products

8.1.1 Building boards

8.1.1.1 Consumption of perlite in building boards

8.1.2 General building plasters and mortars

8.1.2.1 Consumption of perlite in general building plasters and insulation mortars

8.1.3 Specialist plasters

8.1.4 Loose-fill insulation

8.1.4.1 Consumption of perlite as loose-fill insulation

8.1.5 Acoustic tiles

8.1.5.1 Consumption of perlite in acoustic ceiling tiles

8.1.6 Roofdecks and insulating/lightweight concrete

8.1.6.1 Consumption of perlite in roofdecks and insulating/lightweight concrete

8.1.7 Chimney lining

8.1.8 Simulated stone

8.1.9 Perlite fillers in jointing compounds and other building materials

8.1.9.1 Consumption of perlite in filler applications

8.2 Use of perlite in horticulture

8.2.1 Growing media

8.2.2 Seed germination/root cuttings

8.2.3 Hydroponics

8.2.4 Turf/lawn/soil amendment

8.2.5 Consumption of perlite in horticultural uses

8.3 Use of perlite in industrial applications

8.3.1 Low temperature/cryogenic insulation

8.3.1.1 Consumption of perlite for low temperature/cryogenic insulation

8.3.2 Absorbents

8.3.3 Rigid shapes

8.3.3.1 Consumption of perlite in rigid shapes

8.3.4 Well drilling materials

8.3.5 High temperature insulation

8.3.6 Refractories

8.3.7 Explosives

8.4 Use of perlite in filteraids

8.4.1 Consumption of perlite for filteraid uses

8.5 Other uses of perlite

8.5.1 Animal feed

8.5.2 Chemical feedstocks

8.5.3 Fertilisers/pesticides/herbicides

8.5.4 Mine sealants

8.5.5 Stonewashing

9 Prices of perlite

9.1 Pricing for the perlite processor (expander)

9.2 Pricing for the perlite end user

9.3 Published sources of perlite prices

9.3.1 East Mediterranean prices

9.3.2 Turkish prices

9.3.3 USA prices

9.3.3.1 Unexpanded perlite

9.3.3.2 Expanded perlite

9.3.4 UK prices

9.3.5 Unit value of traded perlite

9.3.6 Future price trends for perlite

List of Tables

• Table 1: Chemical analyses of selected raw perlites
• Table 2: Physical properties of Eti Mine Works General Management unexpanded perlite
• Table 3: World: Perlite reserves and reserve base
• Table 4: World perlite reserves by country
• Table 5: Grades of unexpanded perlite from Perlit-92 Kft
• Table 6: Grades of expanded perlite produced from Perlit-92 Kft ore
• Table 7: Supreme Perlite Company: Typical physical properties of expanded perlite
• Table 8: Supreme Perlite Company: Typical chemical properties of expanded perlite
• Table 9: World production of perlite by country, 1997-2003
• Table 10: World production (2003) and production capacity (2004) for perlite by producing company
• Table 11: Argentina: Unexpanded perlite production, 1990-2003
• Table 12: Chemical composition of Perfiltra expanded perlite
• Table 13: Chemical composition of Aragats perlite
• Table 14: Armenia: Unexpanded perlite production, 1992-2003
• Table 15: Australia: Unexpanded perlite production, 1990-2002/03
• Table 16: Bulgaria: Unexpanded perlite production, 1998-2003
• Table 17: Chemical composition of crude perlite produced by Bentonit AD
• Table 18: Grades of expanded perlite produced by Bentonit AD
• Table 19: Canada: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1998-2002
• Table 20: Canada: Producers of expanded perlite, 2001
• Table 21: Canada: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1998-2002
• Table 22: China Producers of expanded perlite
• Table 23: Germany: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1999-2004
• Table 24: Chemical composition of Milos perlites
• Table 25: Greece: Perlite production, 1997-2003
• Table 26: Greece: Exports of unexpanded perlite, 1999-2004
• Table 27: Properties of unexpanded perlite produced by Aegean Perlite SA
• Table 28: S&B Industrial Minerals: Perlite operations outside Greece
• Table 29: Hungary: Unexpanded perlite production, 1998-2003
• Table 30: Hungary: Imports of perlite as recorded by the major countries of destination, 1997-2004
• Table 31: Chemical analysis of milled raw perlite produced by Perlit-92 Kft
• Table 32: India: Perlite production, FY 1990/91-2002/03
• Table 33: Iran: Perlite production, 1997-2003
• Table 34: Japan: Unexpanded perlite production, 1997-2003
• Table 35: Mexico: Unexpanded perlite production, 1997-2003
• Table 36: Termolitas markets and trade names
• Table 37: New Zealand: Unexpanded perlite production, 1999-2003
• Table 38: Philippines: Unexpanded perlite production, 1997-2003
• Table 39: Slovakia: Unexpanded perlite production, 1995-2003
• Table 40: South Africa : Estimated imports of perlite 1996-2004
• Table 41: Chemical composition of Nxwala raw perlite
• Table 42: Thailand: Unexpanded perlite production, 1997-2003
• Table 43: Turkey: Unexpanded perlite production, 1997-2003
• Table 44: Turkey: Exports of perlite, 1998-2004
• Table 45: Chemical and physical properties of Eti Mine Works General Managements unexpanded perlite
• Table 46: Ukraine: Exports of perlite,1 2002-2004
• Table 47: Chemical and physical properties of mined and expanded perlite from the Fogosh deposit
• Table 48: UK: Perlite expanders and processors
• Table 49: USA: Domestic production and imports of unexpanded perlite, 1994-2004
• Table 50: USA: Domestically produced perlite processed by in house and independent expanders, 1994-2003
• Table 51: Chemical and physical properties of Fish springs perlite ore
• Table 52: Chemical composition of Dicaperl perlite
• Table 53: Chemical composition properties of Eagle-Picher perlite
• Table 54: Chemical analysis of Dooley Mountain perlite
• Table 55: World: Minerals perlite interests located outside the USA
• Table 56: USA: Usage of expanded perlite by market, 1998 and 2003
• Table 57: USA: Leading perlite expanders
• Table 58: World: Exports of unexpanded perlite by country, 2004
• Table 59: Greece Exports of unexpanded perlite by destination, 2000-2004
• Table 60: World: Imports of unexpanded perlite by country, 2000-2004
• Table 61: Americas: Reported and estimated consumption of unexpanded perlite by country and end-use, 2003
• Table 62: Asia Pacific: Estimated consumption of unexpanded perlite by country and end-use, 2003
• Table 63: World: Forecast consumption of unexpanded perlite, 2003 and 2008
• Table 64: Typical physical characteristics of expanded perlite by market sector
• Table 65: Principal applications of perlite in building products
• Table 66: USA: Comparison of the use of expanded perlite in construction uses with the construction of new buildings, 1996-2003
• Table 67: Typical physical properties of Fesco®ist; Board
• Table 68: Specification for expanded perlite for use in gypsum plaster, ASTM C35
• Table 69: Performance data for proprietary plaster premixes containing perlite
• Table 70: Mix proportions and properties of fibre reinforced perlite plaster
• Table 71: Technical data for Alphaperl®ist; LM 21 insulation mortar
• Table 72: Properties of Eurostone perlite acoustic tile
• Table 73: R-values for perlite concrete roofing systems
• Table 74: Typical product data for ultra fine filler grade perlites
• Table 75: Typical product data for fine filler grade perlites
• Table 76: Typical product data for perlite hollow spheres
• Table 77: Principal horticultural applications of perlite
• Table 78: Commonly used soilless growing media mixes for greenhouse crops
• Table 79: Amending materials for a peat/perlite/sand mix
• Table 80: Principal industrial applications of perlite
• Table 81: Physical characteristics of expanded perlite for cryogenic storage
• Table 82: Typical properties of perlite/sodium silicate products
• Table 83: Thermal conductivity characteristics of expanded perlite
• Table 84: Properties of perlite based on lightweight refractory bricks
• Table 85: Typical grades of expanded perlite filteraids
• Table 86: Markets for expanded perlite filteraids
• Table 87: Unexpanded perlite prices, bulk fob east Mediterranean port, 1995-2005
• Table 88: USA: Average prices of unexpanded perlite, 1994-2004
• Table 89: US prices of expanded perlite, 1994-2003
• Table 90: US prices of expanded perlite sold or used by producers by market, 1998-2003
• Table 91: UK: Unit value of imports of unexpanded perlite, 1996-2004
• Table 92: UK prices of expanded perlite, 1998-2005
• Table 93: Unit value of imports of unexpanded perlite, 1999-2004
• Table 94: Unit value of exports of unexpanded perlite, 1999-2004

List of Figures

• Figure 1: Flowsheet for a typical perlite beneficiation plant/mill
• Figure 2: Flowsheet for a typical perlite expansion plant
• Figure 3: World: Perlite production by geographical region, 1997-2003
• Figure 4: Canada: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1998-2003
• Figure 5: France: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1999-2004
• Figure 6: Greece: Exports of unexpanded perlite, and evolution of unit value,1999-2004
• Figure 7: Geographical markets for raw perlite from S&B Industrial Minerals, 1997 and 2003
• Figure 8: End use markets for raw perlite from S&B Industrial Minerals, 1997 and 2003
• Figure 9: Hungary: Exports of unexpanded perlite by destination, 1999-2004
• Figure 10: Italy: Exports of unexpanded perlite, 1997-2003
• Figure 11: Italy: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1997-2003
• Figure 12: Japan: Consumption of expanded perlite by market
• Figure 13: South Korea: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1996-2004
• Figure 14: Philippines: Exports of unexpanded perlite, 1999-2002
• Figure 15: Spain: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1997-2004
• Figure 16: Turkey and Greece: Unit value of exports, 1998-2004
• Figure 17: UK: Imports of unexpanded perlite, 1997-2004
• Figure 18: USA: Domestic production and imports of unexpanded perlite, 1994-2004
• Figure 19: USA: Domestically produced perlite processed by in house and independent expanders, 1994-2003
• Figure 20: USA: Comparison of changes in consumption of perlite by market between 1998 and 2003
• Figure 21: USA: Expanded perlite sold or used, 1998-2003
• Figure 22: World: Consumption of perlite by geographic region, 2004
• Figure 23: Americas: Consumption of unexpanded perlite by end-use, 2003
• Figure 24: Western Europe: Consumption of unexpanded perlite by end-use, 2003
• Figure 25: Asia Pacific: Consumption of unexpanded perlite by end-use, 2003
• Figure 26: Estimated consumption of perlite in construction by region
• Figure 27: USA: Comparison of the use of expanded perlite in construction uses and the construction of new buildings, 1996-2003
• Figure 28: Europe: Newly completed dwellings, 1980-2000
• Figure 29: USA: Horticultural usage of expanded perlite and exfoliated vermiculite,1993-2004
• Figure 30: Average prices of unexpanded perlite sold in the USA, 1994-2003
• Figure 31: US price evolution of expanded perlite by market, 1998-2003