PERLITE

Perlite is an amorphous siliceous volcanic glass that contains between 2 and 5 percent water. Light gray to black in color, perlite is found worldwide and is most often mined using openpit methods. When perlite ore is rapidly heated to about 900 °C, the contained water converts to steam and the ore expands up to 20 times its original volume. The resulting material, which is lightweight and bright white, has many properties suited to multiple industrial applications. Production Domestic processed crude perlite sold and used in 2023 was estimated to be 450 kt with a value of $30.5 million, compared with 458 kt with a value of $31.3 million in 2022. The average unit value of processed crude perlite sold and used by U.S. operations in 2023 was $68/t, unchanged from 2022. Crude ore production was from nine mines operated by six companies in six Western states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon). New Mexico continued to be the leading producing state. Processed crude perlite was expanded at 51 plants owned by 29 companies in 27 states. World production of perlite in 2023 was estimated to be 4.9 Mt, compared with 4.94 Mt in 2022. Consumption The low-density and porous-structure attributes of expanded perlite, as well as its durability, fire resistance, inertness, low acoustical and thermal conductivity, and water retention capacity make it useful for a wide range of applications. In 2023, construction-related uses, such as concrete aggregate, formed products, and masonry- and cavity-fill insulation remained the leading markets for expanded perlite with 47 percent of total sales and use. Horticultural uses by commercial growers and hobby gardeners accounted for 16 percent of perlite consumption in 2023. Other uses were fillers (15 percent) and filter aids (14 percent). Several other end uses for expanded perlite made up the remainder of consumption. Domestic apparent consumption, defined as processed crude perlite sold or used by producers plus imports minus exports, decreased in 2023 to an estimated 610 kt, from 680 kt in 2022. Substitutes Substitutes for perlite are dependent on the application. In construction uses, diatomite, expanded clay and shale, pumice and slag can be substituted for perlite. For horticultural uses, coco coir, pumice, vermiculite and wood pulp are alternative soil additives and are sometimes used in conjunction with perlite. Foreign trade Trade data for perlite are not collected as a separate category by the U.S. Census Bureau but are included within the “Vermiculite, perlite and chlorites, unexpanded” group. An estimated 140 kt of perlite valued at $19 million was imported into the United States during 2023 compared with 240 kt valued at $35 million in 2022. The estimated average unit value of imported perlite in 2023 was $130/t, compared with $150/t in 2022. Most imports were estimated to have originated from Greece (95 percent) while smaller quantities also came from Mexico (2 percent). The remainder of imported perlite originated from Australia, China and Turkey. In 2023, exports of perlite were estimated to have decreased to 18 kt valued at $3.4 million compared with 22 kt valued at $3.4 million in 2022. The estimated average unit value of exported perlite was $190/t in 2023 compared with $160/t in 2022. An estimated 92 percent of exports were shipped to Canada. International Global production of perlite was estimated to be 4.9 Mt in 2023, compared with 4.94 Mt in 2022. The world’s leading producers were, in descending order of production, China (1.5 Mt), Turkey (1.4 Mt), Greece (1.1 Mt) and the United States (450 kt). Most of China’s perlite production was thought to be consumed internally, while Greece and Turkey were the leading exporters of perlite. Outlook The perlite industry is mature and stable. Demand for perlite used for the construction and horticultural markets is expected to remain strong. Construction market fluctuations could impact the perlite consumption in related uses. New and innovative uses continue to be developed due to the numerous characteristics of perlite. References U.S. Geological Survey, 2024, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024—Perlite: U.S. Geological Survey, p. 132– 133, https://doi.org/10.3133/mcs2024

PERLITE

Authored by:
Kristi J. Simmons

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From sessions to strategy: Revealing long-term and emerging innovation trends in data analytics, intelligent systems and automation

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To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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