What is calcium carbonate?

Calcium carbonate is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth and accounts for about 4% of the Crust.
It can be found in nature three principal rock types: chalk, limestone and marble.
Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) - created by nature over millions of years
Natural calcium carbonate deposits are made up of the skeletal remains of marine organisms that have sedimented to the bottom of a shallow sea. Under the right conditions, these sediments build up over time to form thick layers. Geological movements and metamorphic processes lead to a differentiation in their crystallization, giving either:
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chalk, a soft rock often associated with siliceous impurities.
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limestone, which is harder, whiter and purer than chalk.
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marble, which is the hardest and purest form of calcium carbonate.
Precipitated Calcium Carbonate - created by man in a matter of hours
Calcium carbonate can also be produced synthetically in the form of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC). The transformation process consists in decarbonating limestone to separate CaO and CO2, and then recombining these elements in a chemical reactor. The final product has the same chemical composition as GCC, but with different properties in terms of particle size distribution, particle shape, and even higher purity.
Physical properties
- High brightness
- Blocky particle shape
- High purity
- Thermal conductivity
- Insoluble in water
- Alkaline
- Adhesives & Sealants
- Food & Beverage
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- Paper
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Adhesives & Sealants
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Food & Beverage
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Paints & Coatings
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Paper
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Pharmaceuticals
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Plastics
For more information, please visit Imerys Carbonates.