Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate is an inorganic chemical compound with the chemical formula CaCO3.

Calcium carbonate is one of the most popular chemicals which is first encountered in school classrooms, where the use of chalk (a form of CaCO3) is found. It is found in the earth’s crust.  It is also found in many forms such as marble, limestone, etc. Although they are available in various forms they are chemically similar and only differ physically. They are also referred to as calcite.

Calcium carbonate is a non-toxic and odourless compound commonly found as a white mineral which occurs naturally in chalks, limestones and marbles.

1. Ground Calcium Carbonate – Produced via extraction and processing of naturally occurring deposits. GCC crystal shape is irregularly rhombohedral and has a broader size distribution.
2. Precipitated Calcium Carbonate – Produced via chemical precipitation via a carbocation process or as a by-product of some bulk chemical processes. PCC crystal shape depends on the product and the product and the particles are more uniform and regular with a narrow size distribution.

Paper, Plastics, Paints, and Coatings: Calcium carbonate is the most widely used mineral in the paper, plastics, paints and coatings industries both as a filler – and due to its special white color - as a coating pigment.

Lauded among many industries for its use, calcium carbonate is a key player in the following industries:

·         Healthcare.

·         Oil.

·         Plastic/Rubber.

·         Cement.

·         Glass.

·         Steel.

·         Paper.

·         Construction.