Industrial minerals are traditionally a key factor in the manufacture of detergents. In volume terms, sodium sulphate, soda ash and zeolites play a major role, while considerably lower quantities of bentonite-based speciality additives are also used. Giving rise to innovative detergent formulations, the demand for these additives has been growing at an exceptionally high rate for many years. Worldwide sales of laundry care products are currently recording average annual growth rates of 2.5%, while the demand for bentonite-based detergent additives is increasing at well over 3% a year. Concentrated growth marketAccording to Euromonitor International, the global laundry care market currently generates a sales volume in the order of some $70bn, with detergents alone accounting for 75% of this figure. The competitive environment is inevitably intense. A glance at the market structure shows that the four largest suppliers already hold a total market share of around 55%. In view of the...