China Clay (Kaolin) for Paper Industry

China Clay serves as a filler and paper coating that makes the paper’s appearance elegant by adding smoothness, glossiness and brightness. Kaolin is also considered as a primary filler that improves the printability and opacity in the paper industry. One of the most extensively used additive and coating materials, Kaolin is an affordable alternative to wood paper filler. Over time, the wood paper filler will become more expensive as the demand for it increases while the supply decreases. Kaolin’s other competitor is calcium carbonate which is affordable but has poor dramatic results. 

Believe it or not, around 405 of total China Clay produced globally is used as a filler and coating of paper. Due to its low prices, good availability, low abrasiveness and relatively white in color, China Clay is second to none as a filler in the paper industry worldwide. The Kaolin particles offer a high density to paper and as a result, it reduces the penetration of coating in the paper. Due to its less wire abrasion property, it doesn’t harm the wire cloth in the paper machine and increase the lifetime of it.

The size of particles plays a major role in the paper fillers & coatings as the larger china clay particles deliver the extra strength to a paper. The primary 3 aspects of China Clay make it perfect for the paper industry and they are rheology, purity and particle geometry.