The use of minerals in plastics as functional fillers is one of the primary consuming market sectors for the industrial minerals business. A wide range of minerals perform specific functions to enhance the desired properties of the plastic end product.
While mineral filler use has been around since the advent of plastics, advances in plastic manufacturing technology and the increasing and changing demands from the plastic end user industries have dictated that mineral filler producers also keep pace with market requirements.
Electrolux’s total European demand for GCC
filled PP used in its washing machines and
dishwashers equates to about 55,000 tpa,
which is about 20% of the European market.
Electrolux Group
This has led to increased sophistication in mineral filler processing and surface treatment methods in order to produce higher performance mineral grades to satisfy the stringent demand requirements in manufacturing modern plastic components or products.
The accompanying...