Diatomite
Diatomite’s microscopic frustules give high porosity and low density, making it an irreplaceable filter aid for beer, edible oils and biofuels while lightening plasterboard, paints and plastics. Growth is modest but steady, mirroring beverage consumption and the shift to talc-free fillers. High-purity deposits are scarce, so premium producers enjoy pricing power despite the sector’s overall small tonnage.
Supply Dynamics
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USA & China together mine ~50 % of global tonnage; Denmark & Turkey supply EU markets.
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Price hinges on purity (low clay/carbonate) and specific surface area, not ore grade alone.
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Low bulk density makes freight a key cost; mines near rail/port hold advantage.
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Crystalline-silica rules increase calcination and dust-control CAPEX.
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New capacity limited, most supply growth comes from debottlenecking existing plants.
Demand Dynamics
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Beverage filtration (~45 % share) moves with beer, wine and juice output.
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Bio- and renewable-diesel plants adopt diatomite for glycerol polishing.
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Talc-free, low-VOC paints and plastics favour diatomite as functional filler.
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Lightweight concrete and plasterboard demand rises with construction activity.
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Dental & household abrasives provide stable, spec-driven niche demand.