CaCO₃: Production, Quality & Applications
Introduction to Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)
Applications of Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate is widely used in various industries such as construction, paper, plastics, paint, and pharmaceuticals. In construction, it serves as a key ingredient in cement and lime production...
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃) is a versatile inorganic compound widely used across multiple industries, such as plastics, paints, paper, and construction. It appears as a white powder or crystal and is known for its high whiteness, low oil absorption, chemical stability, and cost-efficiency.
Chemical formula: CaCO₃
Molecular weight: 100.09 g/mol
Forms: Calcite (most common), aragonite, vaterite
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in acids
Melting point: Decomposes above 825°C into CaO and CO₂
Due to its low reactivity and high purity potential, calcium carbonate is often used as a filler to reduce production costs, enhance physical properties, or serve as a whitening agent in various products.
The manufacturing of Calcium Carbonate depends on whether it is GCC (Ground Calcium Carbonate) or PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate). Below are the standard production stages for both types.
High-purity limestone or marble is mined from quarries and undergoes initial quality checks to ensure suitability for grinding or chemical precipitation.
For GCC: Physical grinding of limestone
For PCC: Chemical reaction using calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide
The mined stone is crushed using jaw crushers or hammer mills and then screened to remove oversized particles.
GCC: Milled using ball mills, roller mills, or vertical mills to achieve specific particle size (D50, D97).
PCC: Precipitated under controlled pH and temperature from a reaction between Ca(OH)₂ and CO₂.
For plastic or rubber applications, calcium carbonate may be surface-treated with stearic acid or silane compounds to improve dispersion and compatibility with polymers.
Finished CaCO₃ powder is packed in 25 kg bags, jumbo bags, or stored in silos, ready for distribution.
Download our full product catalog for detailed technical specs and packaging options.
Whiteness is crucial for industries like paint and paper.
Typical values range from 95% to 98%, measured using instruments such as the Konica Minolta CR-410.
High-purity CaCO₃ ensures consistent color and brightness in final products.
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| D50 | 1.0 – 6.0 µm |
| D97 | 10 – 45 µm |
| Mesh Size | Up to 325 mesh |
Chemical Composition (Purity)
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CaCO₃ content | ≥ 98–99% |
| MgO | ≤ 0.5% |
| Fe₂O₃ | ≤ 0.02% |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.3% |
| pH (10% solution) | 8.5–9.5 |
Heavy metals such as Pb, As, Hg, Cd are restricted under industrial and food-grade regulations.
ISO/TS 11931:2012 – Nano CaCO₃ powder classification
ISO 5796:2000 – For rubber-grade natural calcium carbonate
ISO 22146:2018 – Reactivity testing with citric acid
Relevant ISO and Industry Standards
REACH/ROHS/SGS Certificates (for EU compliance)
Applications of Calcium Carbonate
- Plastics & Polymers
Used as a functional filler in:
PVC pipes and profiles
Polypropylene (PP) compounds
Masterbatch formulations
Improves rigidity, surface smoothness, and reduces raw material cost
- Paints & Coatings
Acts as an extender pigment
Enhances opacity, gloss, and abrasion resistance
Essential in matte and semi-gloss paint systems
- Paper Industry
Used as a filler and coating pigment
Improves smoothness, brightness, and printability
Cost-effective replacement for titanium dioxide in some cases
- Construction Materials
Added to cement, adhesives, mortars
Reduces shrinkage and improves setting
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