Vermiculite is a hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate mineral which resembles mica in appearance. Vermiculite is a very versatile mineral because of its thermal stability and inertness. It is easy to handle, odorless and mold resistant.
Vermiculite, when heated to 800oC+, exfoliates (up to 30x its size) to form elongated concertina like particles which are lightweight, incombustible, compressible, highly absorbent, and non-reactive. Exfoliated vermiculite particles can have high cation exchange capacity and their surface chemistry may be modified.
According to the USGS, in 2015 global demand for vermiculite was 408, 000 MT (up 7% Y-o-Y). Major vermiculite mines are located in South Africa (the Palabora complex), China, Brazil, Russia, the United States and now CANADA.
Malaysia
