"Functional fillers / Additives for further applications"

Hollow microspheres Micropearl

Micropearl are spherical, organic microbeads which can be expanded under the influence of heat into very low density flexible hollow spheres. The shell of the spheres consists of a thermoplastic copolymer into which a short-chain hydrocarbon is encapsulated. Depending on process conditions, different grades are available with expansions in the range of 100 - 250 °C. The thermally expansible hollow microspheres are used as a physical blowing agent wherever low density and high compressibility/flexibility are essential. Matting and anti-slip properties further enhance the performance spectrum of this interesting product class.

Hollow microspheres Dualite

The designation Dualite stands for organic hollow microspheres. They have densities in the range of 0.13 g/cm³ without heat supply. In order to improve handling (reduction of dust exposure) these products are given a mineral coating. Depending on the grade, particle sizes of 30 - 130 µm are available. Dualite is likewise characterized by high flexibility, which makes it particularly suited for uses in underbody coating or sound insulation in the automotive industry.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth, also known as Kieselgur, consists of the very fine silicon skeleton of dead diatoms. Because of its natural structure, diatomaceous earth has a very large surface, is chemically inert and has a very high absorption capacity. We offer natural diatomaceous earth whose content of crystalline silica is < 0.1%, calcined diatomaceous earth and flux-calcined diatomaceous earth (fluxing agent: sodium carbonate). We also have high-purity diatomaceous earth in our product portfolio which complies with USP/NF requirements.

Our diatomaceous earth mainly comes from deposits in the USA, Mexico and Spain.

Perlite grades

Perlite is a volcanic obsidian rock that contains 2-5% bound water. Chemically speaking, it is an aluminium silicate which is almost as inert as silicic acid. When heated, perlite expands into very light, cellular, spherical particles. In expanded, unmilled form perlite has proven its worth as an insulation material, for instance, for tanks. Because of its thermal and acoustic insulation properties, it is a popular light, inert filler in the building material industry. In milled form perlite is primarily used as a carrier, among other things, for pesticides.

Our perlite grades are mainly produced in France, Spain and Italy from Turkish ore.

Calcium silicates

Our calcium silicate is produced from diatomaceous earth in the USA. It is an adsorptive, synthetic silicate with an SiO2:CaO ratio of approximately 1:3.

The calcium silicates are mainly used as dry liquids. For the life science field we offer special calcium silicates which comply with USP/NF requirements.