FAQ

• Who created the company and how is it managed?

The company was created by a private European investment company, as well as 2 individuals - partners of the company.

The operational management of the company is led by the CEO of Vilma Želvienė.

Strategic management of the company is carried out by:

·        Vadim Shterenlikht – shareholder

·        Elena Artemyeva – consulting of production processes

·        Konstantin Artemyev – shareholder, design and construction management

·        Vilma Želvienė – general operational and financial management

• How long have you been grinding and selling talc?

The FINEGRI company produces talc based on its own technology, patented in many countries. Our technology allows us to produce not only traditional brands of fine talc with improved characteristics, but also new products with recipes tailored to customers' orders.

The plant is located in Lithuania. The team of specialists that created the production has been engaged in superfine grinding of minerals, including talc, for more than 30 years. During this time, the unique technology has been tested several times.

• How does your technology differ from others, what is the essence of your technology?

Our technology is based on grinding principles that are radically different from anything existing on the market and is described in our patents:

  • No. 10 2018 212 830 “Method and device for grinding”
  • No. 19189504.4 - European patent
  • No. 10 2020 204 780.4 “Device and method of grinding solid materials”
  • No. 21168714.0 - European patent

The main advantages of our technology:

  • we use a mechanical grinding method without the use of additional resources, such as water, air, heated steam, grinding media, which negatively affect the final product during the grinding process;
  • the technology is waste-free, that is, from 100% of the loaded product we get 100% of the finished powder; this gives the advantage of 100% environmental friendliness, unchangeable purity of the raw materials;
  • the finished product does not undergo catastrophic changes in the particle structure and completely retains its laminarity;
  • not using the classification of the finished product: the finished mixture is not divided into fractions, there is no depletion of the powder due to a decrease in the variety of particles of different sizes, and the result is a product with an ideally filled matrix in terms of particle size and high homogeneity;
  • technological ability to produce products with different granulometric characteristics according to the client’s order.

• How does your talc differ from other types of talc that are currently on the market?

Our company produces all lines of traditional brands of talc that are on the market today, but we focus on the production of the most complex in granulometric composition, finely dispersed talc with a high content of nanoparticles.

Thanks to the use of innovative technology, we are able to produce complex prescription talcs to meet the needs of consumers for specific areas of application in various industries.

A distinctive feature of the technology is the use of grinders that can produce any grade of fine talc without changing their natural structure and chemical parameters. Our technology allows, thanks to a patented grinding method, to produce finely dispersed talc without classification, thereby not depleting the finished product, and to obtain the final product with the most effective distribution of particles in the matrix, completely homogeneous, without disturbing the laminarity of the talc and maintaining the ratio of plate thickness to its length.

The main differences between our products and those on the market:

·      Preserved natural laminarity of talc;

·      Purity and optimal physical and chemical characteristics of the finished product, due to the use of high-grade, expensive raw materials;

·     High matrix packaging of particles, due to the preservation of the lamellar structure of talc, achieved by technological advantages, namely the grinding method;

·  Homogeneity of the product, due to technological advantages that make it possible to obtain the finished product without using the product classification process, in which the volume of the entire product is subjected to dispersion and separation into fractions and thus the product is depleted by screening out either large or small particles;

·      The presence of a high percentage of nanoparticles in the finished product;

·     The ability to make almost any recipe, both in terms of physical and chemical parameters, as well as in the granulometry of the finished product;

High environmental performance of raw materials and, as a consequence, the finished product, which does not undergo changes in chemical parameters during the production process.

• What is the limit of talc granulometry you can produce?

Minimum possible particle size:

·        D50<4 µm

·        D95<15-20 µm

·        D98<25-30 µm

Maximum possible particle size:

·        D50<1 µm

·        D95<2.9 µm

·        D98<5 µm

• What industries use talc and what are the benefits of your talc in production processes in these areas?

Talc is used in many industries. Below are the most interesting applications of our fine talc and the characteristics of the final products that are improved by the use of our talcs.

Plastics

·        Increased impact resistance;

·        Optimal ratio of rigidity and impact resistance;

·        Increasing the elastic modulus;

·        Improved thermal stability;

·        A significant reduction in the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) and shrinkage, which leads to better dimensional stability;

·        Increased impact strength;

·        Increasing deformation heat resistance.

Polypropylenes

Talc is used in the production of polypropylene as an additive or filler to improve the properties of the material. During the polypropylene production process, talc may be added in powder form or as part of a masterbatch . The use of talc in the production of polypropylene can improve the characteristics of the material and expand its scope in various industries, including automotive, packaging, construction and other industries.

However, it is important to note that each application has its own unique requirements, and the effectiveness of using talc in polypropylene may vary on a case-by-case basis. Also, the granulometric characteristics of talc and other manufacturing parameters can affect the final properties of the composite material.

The use of talc in polypropylene has several advantages that make such a material attractive for a variety of applications. Here are some of the main benefits of using talc in polypropylene:

·    Improvement of mechanical properties: Talc is a lightweight material and has a laminar structure, its addition can significantly improve the     mechanical properties of polypropylene. This includes increasing the tensile strength, impact resistance, elastic modulus and deformation stability   of the material.

·       Improved heat resistance: adding talc to polypropylene increases its heat resistance. This allows the material to  be used in products that require   high temperature stability.

·     Reduced shrinkage: the presence of talc reduces shrinkage of polypropylene during cooling after casting, which   helps reduce distortion and     provide more accurate product dimensions.

·       Improved structural stability: talc forms barrier layers that can prevent mixing of polypropylene molecules and     reduce the likelihood of cracking   and creep.

·      Improved electrical properties: the addition of talc can improve the electrical insulating properties of polypropylene,  making it valuable for some   electrical and electronic products.

·         Weight reduction: adding talc to polypropylene can reduce the weight of products, which can be an important    factor  for various applications            such   as the automotive and aviation industries.

·          Improved appearance: talc can improve the visual properties of polypropylene, giving the material a smoother,   more attractive surface.

·      Density reduction: the addition of talc can reduce the density of polypropylene, which is especially useful when it     is necessary to reduce the   weight of the final product.

·     Improved chemical resistance: talc can improve the chemical resistance of polypropylene, making it less     susceptible to degradation when   exposed to various harsh chemical environments.

Polyethylene

Talc is used in the production of polyethylene as an additive or filler to improve the properties of the material. In polyethylene production, talc may be added in powder or form. The use of talc in the production of polyethylene can improve the characteristics of the material and expand its scope in various industries, including automotive, packaging, construction and other industries.

The use of talc in polyethylene has several advantages that make such a material attractive for a variety of applications. Here are some of the main benefits of using talc in polyethylene:

·     Improved mechanical properties: adding talc to polyethylene improves its mechanical properties such as strength, impact resistance and          deformation resistance. Talc is a mineral with a laminar structure, due to which it strengthens the polymer matrix, making the material stronger and more durable.

·         Improved heat resistance: talc improves the heat resistance of polyethylene, making it less sensitive to high temperatures and thermal stress.

·        Reduced shrinkage: the presence of talc reduces the shrinkage of polyethylene during cooling and hardening,  which  helps ensure more accurate   product sizes and shapes.

·         Improved structural stability: talc forms barrier layers in polyethylene that can prevent molecular mixing and reduce the likelihood of cracking and     creep.

·          Improved appearance: talc can improve the visual properties of polyethylene, giving the material a smoother, more   attractive surface.

·          Density reduction: the addition of talc can reduce the density of polyethylene, which is especially useful when it is necessary to reduce the weight      of the final product.

·         Improved chemical resistance: talc can improve the chemical resistance of polyethylene, making it less susceto degradation when exposed to          various chemical environments.

Polystyrene (PS)

The use of talc in polystyrene (PS) also provides several advantages, making this composite material attractive for a variety of applications. However, it is worth remembering that the effectiveness of using talc in polystyrene may depend on the specific requirements and application of the material. It is necessary to select the optimal granulometric and quantitative parameters of talc and take into account other production parameters in order to achieve the desired characteristics of a polystyrene-based composite material.

Here are some of the main benefits of using talc in polystyrene:

·       Improvement of mechanical properties: talc is a lightweight material and has a laminar structure, its addition to polystyrene can significantly improve the mechanical properties of the material, such as tensile strength, impact resistance, elastic modulus and deformation resistance.

·        Improved heat resistance: talc improves the heat resistance of polystyrene, making it less susceptible to high temperatures and fire.

·       Reduced shrinkage: the presence of talc reduces shrinkage of polystyrene during cooling after molding of  products, which helps reduce distortion   and provide more accurate product dimensions.

·         Stiffness improvement: adding talc can increase the stiffness of polystyrene, which is especially useful for products that require a stiffer material.

·      Improved heat resistance: talc increases the heat resistance of polystyrene, allowing it to be used at elevated temperatures without significant       changes in the properties of the material.

·     Improved chemical resistance: adding talc can improve the chemical resistance of polystyrene, making it less susceptible to degradation when   exposed to certain harsh chemicals.

·     Reduced crack susceptibility: talc forms barrier layers in the structure of polystyrene, which can reduce crack susceptibility and increase its       durability.

Engineering plastics

The use of talc in engineering plastics provides a number of benefits that make it a popular filler or additive in a variety of industrial formulations. However, it is important to consider that the use of talc in engineering plastics must be carefully considered and optimized according to the requirements of a particular project. Different types of talc, its granulometric parameters and concentration can give different properties and characteristics of the plastic composite.

Some of the main benefits include:

·      Improved mechanical properties. Talc is a lightweight material and has a laminar structure. Its addition to plastic composites significantly improves  their mechanical properties, such as strength, rigidity, impact resistance and increases deformation resistance. This makes the materials stronger and more durable.

·     Improved heat resistance: talc improves the heat resistance of plastic materials, making them less sensitive to high temperatures and thermal     stress. This makes plastic composites more suitable for high temperature applications.

·     Improved structural stability: talc forms barrier layers within the plastic matrix, which can prevent molecular mixing and reduce the likelihood of   cracking and creep. This increases the structural stability of the composite material.

·    Improved electrical properties: addition of talc can improve the electrical insulating properties of plastics, making them more effective in electronic or electrical applications.

·      Reduced density: talc is a lightweight material, and its use in plastic composites reduces their overall weight, which is especially important in the automotive and aviation industries, where lightweight materials reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency.

·    Improved appearance: talc can improve the visual properties of plastic products by providing a smoother, more attractive surface.

Compounds

The use of talc in compounds provides several benefits, making it a popular filler or additive in industrial products. It is important to carefully consider and optimize the process of adding talc to compounds, taking into account the requirements of a specific application and correctly selecting the concentration and granulometric parameters of talc and other components to achieve the desired properties and quality of the final product.

Some of the main benefits include:

·     Improvement of mechanical properties: talc significantly improves the strength, impact resistance, elastic modulus and deformation resistance of the material.

·   Reduced shrinkage and deformation: the presence of talc reduces shrinkage and deformation of materials, p  providing more accurate dimensions and shapes of products.

·        Improved heat resistance: talc makes compounds less sensitive to high temperatures and thermal stress.

·     Improved heat resistance: talc improves the heat resistance of compounds, making them more resistant to high temperatures and fire.

·   Improved chemical resistance: talc increases the chemical resistance of compounds, reducing the risk of    destruction  when interacting with aggressive chemical environments.

·      Increased stiffness: talc increases the stiffness of compounds, which is valuable for product applications where a   stiffer material is required.

·     Weight reduction: the addition of talc reduces the overall weight of compounds, important for the automotive and light industry.

Masterbatch

Talc is widely used in masterbatches , which are concentrated additives consisting of a high concentration of pigments or other functional additives dispersed in a carrier (usually a polymer).

It is important to note that the use of talc in masterbatches must be carefully considered and the concentration and granulometric characteristics of the talc must be optimized to suit the requirements of a particular project. Correct selection of components and optimization of the masterbatch production process are important aspects to achieve the desired properties and quality of the final product.

Using talc in masterbatches :

·  Improved dispersion: talc serves as a carrier for functional additives and pigments, facilitating their uniform distribution in the polymer matrix. This promotes better dispersion and uniform distribution of color and functional properties throughout the composite material.

·     Strengthening: talc as a filler adds mechanical strength to masterbatches , which can be important for a variety of applications, especially in the production of plastic products.

·     Reducing density: adding talc to masterbatches can reduce the density of the material, which is especially useful when it is necessary to reduce the weight of the final product.

·   Improved heat resistance: talc increases the heat resistance of masterbatches , which expands the range of application of the material at elevated temperatures.

·   Increased service life: thanks to improved mechanical properties, talc masterbatches can have longer lasting properties and improved resistance to environmental influences.

Paper production

·        Glossiness improve ;

·        Abrasiveness decreases ;

·        Friction decreases and print quality improves;

·      When using talc as an absorbent, due to the hydrophobicity and granulometric stability of the powder with a large  content of small particles with a developed surface, microparticles of resin and sawdust are more effectively  removed.

Talc as a filler

The use of talc as a filler in papermaking provides several benefits that make it a popular component in the paper industry. In general, the use of talc in paper production improves its quality, optical and printing properties, makes it more durable, moisture-resistant and economically viable.

Here are some of the major benefits of using talc in paper making:

·        Optical Improvement: talc has high brightness and optical stability, making it an excellent additive for improving the   whiteness and optical properties of paper. The use of talc allows you to create brighter and more attractive paper     products.

·      Improved printing performance: talc provides a flat and smooth surface to the paper, which improves print quality. Thanks to this, paper products with talc have better clarity and contrast of printed images.

·        Increasing volume and density: Adding talc increases the volume of paper and improves its density. This makes the paper more durable and reduces the consumption of raw materials during production.

·        Improved printability : talc helps improve printability by enhancing the paper's ability to absorb ink as well as ease    of writing by providing a smooth writing surface.

·   Increased resistance to moisture: talc has hydrophobic properties that improve the paper's resistance to wet conditions and prevents moisture penetration.

·        Reducing permeability: talc reduces the porosity of paper and helps reduce permeability to water and gases. This is especially useful in the production of packaging paper, where it is necessary to prevent the penetration of liquids and odors.

Talc as a coating

The use of talc as a coating in papermaking provides several benefits that make it a popular choice for improving the properties of paper products. In general, the use of talc coating in paper production improves its visual, printing and protective characteristics, makes it more resistant to moisture and mechanical stress, and also increases the efficiency of production and use of paper products.

Here are some of the main benefits of using talc as a coating for paper:

·      Optical Improvement: Talc has high brightness and optical stability, making it an excellent coating for improving the whiteness and optical properties of paper. The use of talc coating allows you to create brighter and more attractive paper products.

·     Improved printing performance: Talc coating provides a smooth, uniform paper surface for improved print quality. This results in better clarity and contrast for text and images on coated paper.

·    Increased Moisture Resistance: The talc coating makes the paper more resistant to wet conditions by preventing moisture absorption and reducing the possibility of the paper folding or curling when in contact with liquid.

·        Improved Printability : Talc helps improve printability by enhancing the paper's ability to absorb ink as well as ease   of writing by providing a smooth writing surface.

·    Improved protection and durability: talc coating can protect paper from damage, scuffing or fading. It also       strengthens the surface of the paper, making it more durable and resistant to mechanical stress.

·       Reduced permeability: the talc coating reduces the porosity of the paper and helps reduce permeability to water   and gases. This is especially useful in the production of packaging paper, where it is necessary to prevent the         penetration of liquids and odors.

·      Increases print efficiency and ink use: thanks to its smooth surface, talc coating reduces paper absorption and     allows for more efficient use of ink during printing.

Talc as an absorbent

Talc is used in paper production as an absorbent in various products that require enhanced absorption of liquids.

Here are some of the ways talc is used in papermaking as an absorbent:

·    Sanitary products: talc is added to the production of sanitary and hygiene products, which promotes rapid     absorption of moisture and ensures dryness and comfort for users.

·         Product packaging: talc can be applied to packaging paper or cardboard to prevent the penetration of oils, grease     or other liquids from the products being packaged. The talc coating helps maintain the freshness and quality of         the product.

        In papermaking equipment, talc absorbents are used to clean and absorb a variety of liquids, including oils,         solvents, resins, and other chemicals and liquids. Such absorbents are widely used where leaks or spills of such       substances are possible.

      Filters and Separators: in the paper industry, fine talc can be used as an absorbent in filters and separators to     remove liquid from gas streams.

Paint production

·        Good compatibility with acrylic, alkyd, polyester, epoxy, urethane binders;

·        Helps save white pigments;

·        Improves the resistance of coatings to ultraviolet rays;

·        Promotes additional “barrier” protection against gas diffusion and water vapor, etc.;

·        Gives the paint strength;

·        Provides high quality coating, forming a smooth surface coating.

Polymer paints

The use of talc in polymer paints makes it possible to improve and diversify the properties of paints, which improves the quality, efficiency of application and durability of the coating. Talc is used in polymer paints as an additive or filler to improve and expand the properties of paints. Here are some ways talc is used in polymer paints:

·    Improving mechanical properties: adding talc to polymer paints increases their mechanical strength, resistance to impact and deformation. This makes paints more resistant to mechanical damage and wear.

·      Improved adhesion: talc can improve the adhesion of paint to the surface to which it is applied. This provides better  adhesion and reduces the risk of paint peeling off the substrate.

·     Improved coverage and masking: talc has high brightness and optical stability, which helps improve coverage and masking of the surface. It can help hide imperfections and unevenness of the substrate, providing a more even, high-quality finish.

·       Improving flow and viscosity: talc can be used to control the flow and viscosity of a paint, which improves its ability  to be applied and spread evenly on a surface.

·      Improved chemical resistance: the addition of talc can improve the chemical resistance of polymer paints, making  them less susceptible to degradation when exposed to various chemical environments.

·   Control of gloss and haze: talc can be used to control the gloss and haze levels of paints. Depending on the application and desired finish, different types of talc can be selected.

·      Density reduction: talc is a lightweight material whose addition can reduce the density of polymer paints. This can  be useful when the weight of the coated surface needs to be reduced.

·        Improved temperature resistance: talc increases the heat resistance of polymer paints, making them less sensitive   to high temperatures and thermal influences.

Water-dispersion paints

The use of talc in waterborne paints is a common practice and has several advantages. Here are some of them:

·        Matting: talc is added to water-based paints to create a matte effect and dull the surface. This allows you to create   the desired appearance of the coating, providing a pleasant matte texture.

·     Improved coverage: talc has good optical properties, which allows for improved paint coverage and surface       masking. It helps to hide imperfections and unevenness of the substrate, creating a more even and high-quality     coating.

·        Adjusting texture and viscosity: adding talc allows you to adjust the texture and viscosity of water-based paints.       This makes them more convenient to use and promotes uniform application to the surface.

·      Improvement of mechanical properties: talc, being a rigid mineral material with a laminar structure, improves the   mechanical properties of paints, such as strength, resistance to impact and deformation. This makes the coating   more resistant to mechanical damage and wear.

·        Reduced shrinkage: the presence of talc in paints reduces the shrinkage of the coating during drying, which helps   reduce warping and provide more accurate product dimensions.

·      Increased service life: talc improves paint resistance to moisture, light and other external factors, which helps to   increase the service life of coatings.

·        Environmentally friendly: talc waterborne paints are generally considered more environmentally friendly because      they contain fewer organic solvents and harmful chemicals than some other types of paints.

·      The use of talc in waterborne paints provides a variety of benefits, making paints more effective, durable and easy to use.

Industrial and protective paints

The use of talc in industrial and protective paints has several important aspects and advantages. Here are some of them:

·     Improvement of mechanical properties: talc, being a hard mineral material with a laminar structure, is added to   paints to increase their mechanical strength, resistance to impact and deformation. This makes the coatings more   resistant to damage and wear, which is especially important in industrial and protective applications where           surfaces  are subject to increased mechanical stress.

·   Corrosion protection: talc is used in protective paints to increase the protective properties of coatings against corrosion and oxidation of metal surfaces. This allows you to increase the service life and preserve the appearance of metal structures, equipment and pipelines.

·      Anti-adhesion : talc is used in industrial paints to prevent materials from sticking and sticking on coated surfaces.  This provides protection against sticking objects and reduces friction between surfaces.

·      Improved thermal properties: adding talc to paints increases the thermal resistance of coatings, making them less  sensitive to high temperatures and thermal influences. This is especially important for objects that are exposed to  high temperatures during operation.

·    Improved chemical resistance: talc can improve the chemical resistance of coatings, making them less            susceptible  to degradation when exposed to a variety of harsh chemical environments, including harsh chemicals    and corrosives.

·      Improved strength and abrasion resistance: talc is added to protective paints to improve their strength and abrasion resistance. This makes it possible to increase the durability of coatings, especially on surfaces that are subject to high wear or mechanical stress.

·      Soundproofing: in industrial applications, talc can be used to achieve soundproofing and noise reduction on coated surfaces. Talc has the ability to absorb sound waves, making it useful in various industries.

·     The use of talc in industrial and protective paints makes it possible to improve and expand the properties of        coatings, which makes them more resistant, durable and effective in various operating conditions.

Ceramics production

·        Low moisture capacity and shrinkage;

·        High chemical resistance;

·        Low expansion when heated;

·        Low thermal conductivity;

·        Low electrical conductivity;

·        Improves heat resistance;

·        Reduces cracks in finished products.

Soapstone ceramics

The use of talc for the manufacture of soapstone ceramics is also important in the ceramics industry. Soapstone ceramics, also known as talc ceramics, are made from a mixture of talc and other components.

Soapstone ceramics are usually made from the following main components:

·       Talc: talc is the main component of soapstone ceramics. Talc gives ceramics its characteristic soft texture and helps form the structure.

·      Kaolin: kaolin, also known as kaolin clay, is used along with talc to form soapstone ceramics. It provides structural strength and stabilizes the crystal lattice of the material.

·      Pegmatite: pegmatite is a variety of SPATE granite which is also used in the production of soapstone ceramics. It  contains various mineral components that contribute to the formation of the ceramic structure.

·     Fluorite - Fluorspar: fluorite is added to improve ceramic properties such as transparency and improved optical   performance.

·     Other additives: in the production of soapstone ceramics, other additives may be used, such as graphite or metal oxides, to give the material additional properties, such as resistance to high temperatures or electrical conductivity.

The components are mixed in certain proportions, after which the material is subjected to a firing process at high temperatures.

Here are some aspects of using talc when creating soapstone ceramics:

·     Talc creates a unique texture: talc is the main component of soapstone ceramics and gives it its characteristic        texture and properties. The ceramic becomes soft to the touch and soap-like, making it attractive for handmade and sculptural work.

·       High heat resistance: ceramics made from talc have outstanding heat resistance. It can withstand high                    temperatures without deformation or fracture, making it a valuable material for use in a variety of high-temperature processes.

·   Electrical insulation: soapstone ceramics have excellent electrical insulating properties. This makes it an ideal material for making insulators, stands and other electrical components.

·      Chemical resistance: soapstone ceramics are chemical resistant, making them resistant to various chemical attacks. This is especially important for use in industrial environments where materials are exposed to aggressive influences.

·   Easy to process: soapstone ceramics have excellent machinability. It can be easily cut, turned and molded into various products, making it suitable for the production of various ceramic products.

·    Heat insulation: soapstone ceramics have good thermal insulation, allowing them to be used in processes where protection from high temperatures is required.

·       The use of talc for the manufacture of soapstone ceramics gives the material unique properties and allows its use in a wide range of industrial and artistic products.

Cordierite ceramics

The use of talc for the manufacture of cordierite ceramics is of particular importance in the ceramics industry. Cordierite ceramic is a high temperature material with excellent thermal properties.

The use of talc to make cordierite ceramics is an important process in the ceramics industry and produces a material with unique thermal properties and outstanding performance under high temperature conditions.

Cordierite ceramics are typically made from the following main components:

·        Talc: talc is a key raw material for the formation of cordierite structure in ceramics.

·    Kaolin: kaolin, also known as kaolin clay, is added along with talc to form cordierite ceramics. Kaolin provides structural strength and promotes the formation of the material's crystal lattice.

·       Aluminum: aluminum, in the form of oxide or other compounds, is a necessary component for the formation of the cordierite structure. It contributes to the crystalline network of the ceramic.

·       Other additives: the cordierite ceramic manufacturing process may also use additional additives, such as silica or     other metal oxides, to improve certain properties of the ceramic, such as its thermal stability or mechanical               strength.

The components are mixed in certain proportions, and then the material is subjected to a firing process at high temperatures. Firing and subsequent cooling results in the formation of a cordierite structure in the ceramic, which gives it unique thermal properties, including a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high heat resistance. Cordierite ceramics find wide application in high temperature and thermal insulation products such as industrial furnaces, burners, and thermal insulation materials.

Here are some aspects of using talc in this process:

·     Formation of cordierite structure: talc is one of the main raw materials for creating cordierite ceramics. It contains essential chemical elements which, when fired, are transformed into the specific crystalline structure of cordierite . This is the fundamental process that creates a material with outstanding thermal properties.

·        Low coefficient of thermal expansion: cordierite ceramics have a very low coefficient of thermal expansion, making   it resistant to rapid temperature changes. This is important when ceramics are used in high temperature and       thermally stressed environments.

·    Heat resistance: ceramics derived from talc have outstanding heat resistance and resistance to high temperatures.   It can be used in various applications and products that require high temperatures, such as industrial ovens,           burners, stoves and thermal insulation materials.

·    Electrical insulation: cordierite ceramic also has good electrical insulation. This makes it a valuable material in   electrical products where high insulation and low current loss are required.

·       Mechanical strength: ceramics derived from talc have good mechanical strength and wear resistance. This makes   it  resistant to mechanical stress and damage, which is important for the durability and reliability of the material.

Talc-chloride ceramics

Talc chloride ceramics are a type of ceramic material that is formed by mixing talko chloride with other components and then firing it at high temperatures.

Talc chloride ceramics find applications in a variety of industries, including electronics, thermal insulation, construction and creative arts. Its unique properties make this type of ceramic attractive for various technical and artistic products.

Talko-chloride is a mineral containing a hydrated layered structure, which makes it a valuable component for the creation of special ceramic materials.

Main characteristics of talc-chlorite ceramics:

·     Heat resistance: thanks to its components, talc chloride ceramics have high heat resistance. It can withstand high temperatures without deformation or destruction.

·      Low coefficient of thermal expansion: talko chloride has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which makes such ceramics an ideal material for products where dimensional stability with temperature changes is required.

·       Electrical Insulation: talc chloride ceramics have good insulating properties, making it a valuable material for making insulators and other electrical components.

·        Chemical resistance: ceramic based. Talko-chloride has chemical resistance, which makes it resistant to various chemical environments.

·        Soft Texture: the presence of talc in ceramics gives it a soft texture, making it an interesting material for handicrafts   and artistic products.

·      Unique aesthetic properties: talc chloride ceramics have properties that make them unique among other types of   ceramics. This can be used to achieve special design effects and structures.

Agricultural products

Various industrial minerals are used in agricultural products such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides as dry carriers or excipients of active ingredients. The mineral used in such products must have the following properties:

·        Absorbent capacity;

·        Solubility in liquid so that it can be sprayed;

·        Inertia;

·        Compatibility with active ingredients;

·        High degree of grinding and low abrasiveness to reduce damage to equipment talc fully satisfies these               requirements.

Pesticides are the main application of talc in agriculture, with global talc consumption of about 300 thousand tons per year.

Stern for animals

Talc is used as an anti-stick agent in animal feed troughs, as well as in the feed itself. Since it is non-toxic, it does not pose a health risk to livestock. The hydrophobic properties of talc protect feed from drying out, protect it and facilitate the process of production and packaging.

The talc content in feed reaches 1-2%, in vitamins for animals – 0.3-0.5%. European Union legislation stipulates that animal feed additives must contain a minimum of 85% pure talc.

The European market for talc in animal feed is about 35 thousand tons per year.

    Cleaning polluted water

The growing importance of treating contaminated waters has given rise to a new application for talc. Some companies are developing special grades of talc with specific particle size distributions to effectively separate contaminants from water. The product is used in water treatment plants, where it is added to the natural pool . It helps to separate and increase the density of bacterial clusters (flocks), allowing them to be more effectively identified. This facilitates the removal of biomass from purified water.

The cost of talc used to purify contaminated waters is quite high, and this area of its application has significant potential. For example, in Europe there are more than 150 thousand wastewater treatment plants.

Rubber industry

The main area of application of talc in the rubber industry is its use as a powder for rubber in order to avoid gluing of products to each other. At the same time, talc retains its properties at high temperatures.

Talc is also used as a filler in some types of rubber, such as carpet rubber, valve rubber, or cable rubber .

Polishing

Similar to the use of talc as a polishing agent in food products, it is used for polishing other products where good color and minimal abrasiveness of the material are important . Such products could be shoes, flooring or carsRoofing industry 

In the roofing industry, talc is used as a stabilizer for molten asphalt in tar, roofing shingles and roofing felts, increasing their fire resistance and weather resistance . It is also used to prevent sheets of roofing felt and shingles from sticking to each other during their production and storage.

Cosmetics

The use of talc in cosmetics accounts for 2% of its total consumption. The main area of application of talc in cosmetics is baby powder, in which the pH level of talc and surface properties allow it to retain odor.

In dry antiperspirants, talc is used as a filler, as it has the property of sticking to the skin.

In cosmetic eyeshadows, talc makes up up to 80% of the mass.

Pharmaceuticals

In the pharmaceutical industry, the requirements for the quality of minerals are very high and the production of medical talc requires significant investment in equipment and time. This is the most “expensive” and “closed” sector of talc consumption.

The market size for talc in pharmaceuticals is difficult to determine. It is significant that prices for pharmaceutical talc are sometimes ten times higher than the prices for other industrial grades of talc and are quoted by kilograms, not tons.

Our company has developed a “clean room” technology for the production of medical talc, which has no analogues in the world

Food industry

Pure talc is used in the production of various foods, including cereals and rice. This uses its polishing ability, however, it can also be used as an anti-sticking agent. Talc is also used in the coating of chewing gum and to prevent the sticks from sticking to each other and in the production of various chocolate products.

• How do your 9 certificates, for example, for plastics, differ from each other?

All our certificates describe the possible ranges of parameters that we can produce, the exact characteristics of talc needed by the client, we discuss and select them according to the client’s requests.

Certificates differ in granulometric parameters and, accordingly, physical characteristics associated with particle size. There may also be different variations of ore chemistry, depending on the type of ore selected.

• What is laminarity and how does it affect the technical characteristics of final products in the production of which talc is used?

Currently, all companies producing talc do so using equipment that uses grinding principles patented 30-40-50 years ago.

The grinding principle used by our competitors prevents them from realizing all the natural benefits of the talc mineral. We are also talking about the laminar (scaly) structure of talc. Their equipment, during the grinding process, randomly breaks talc flakes, which has a detrimental effect on the final product and its quality characteristics.

Also, our competitors produce a compacted product, where during the compaction process the scaly structure of talc is completely destroyed and thus all the most important advantages of this mineral as a laminar filler are lost.

• Do you use compaction in production?

Compacting is a process when talc particles are compressed between two counter-rotating shafts, chaotically broken and flattened, and the entire laminar structure of talc is completely disrupted.

Our technology is based on the principle of grinding, when the original product is not subjected to any additional influences harmful to minerals: we do not use flotation, heated steam or air, classification of the finished product to deplete the product and compaction to destroy the laminarity of talc and hide the true size of the particles.

After grinding on our equipment, the talc mineral completely retains all its excellent initial properties, laminarity is maintained and, moreover, there is a significant development of the surface of the particles in the finished product up to 24 m²/ g .

Our technology produces a product that is qualitatively different from competitors. Thanks to the energy efficiency of our technology, we can afford to buy and manufacture our products from high-quality ore with improved physical and chemical properties and increased laminarity.

• What is the bulk density of your products?

As is known, it is very difficult to adequately measure the granulometric parameters of flaky minerals, such as talc, and therefore our company, in order to confirm the results of the product granulometry, always carefully measures and indicates in the certificates of the finished products their bulk density, which in a very simple physical way proves the degree of grinding our talc.

For example, immediately after grinding, a powder with a particle size of D 98<5 microns has a bulk density of no more than 0.16 g/m³ , and a powder with a particle size of D 98<10 microns has a bulk density of no more than 0.25 g/cm ³.

In order not to use compaction, which is harmful to the product, but at the same time increase the bulk density of the finished products, our technology provides large containers where the product settles after production, settles under its own weight and when packed in big bags or paper bags bulk density already, respectively, is 0.25 and 0.4 g/cm³.

• Where do you purchase your talc ore and what is the origin of your talc.

Deposits of noble flake (laminar) talc are located on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In these deposits, talc of the carbonate type with an increased layered structure and low iron content predominates. We have long-term contracts with Pakistani companies and their representatives in Turkey and the UAE and other countries that have official licenses to develop these deposits and export ore outside the country.

Our competitors in Europe, due to high production costs, are forced to use lower quality and less expensive raw materials. They mainly use ore from their own quarries, which are predominantly of the soap-chlorite type. But to improve the physical and chemical characteristics of the final product, they constantly buy talc from Afghan deposits for subsequent addition and mixing with ore from their own deposits.

If necessary, at the request of clients, we can buy different grades of ore from other suppliers, from different regions of the world, but its characteristics in all respects, such as mineralogical composition, whiteness, impurity content and laminarity, will be significantly inferior to ore from Afghan deposits.

• Is there asbestos in your products? Can you provide a certificate of original ore with mineralogical composition and confirmation of the absence of asbestos?

The supplier of the original ore always provides a certificate of origin, which contains all the chemical and mineralogical parameters of the ore, including indicators of the presence or absence of asbestos. Our company, unlike many competitors, uses high-quality ore from Afghanistan, the morphology of which does not suggest the presence of asbestos as a host mineral. And for the same reason, even in ores with lower whiteness values, asbestos is also absent.

Asbestos is ALWAYS presented in ores from European mines, since in the European part talc is found everywhere with asbestos as an accompanying mineral.

• What is the whiteness of your finished products?

The whiteness of the final product, with our technology, always corresponds to the whiteness in the original ore, which is always measured and determined by Y ( L,a ,b , Rx and Ry ). The results of all measurements are indicated in the finished product certificates.

There may also be a slight increase in the Y whiteness index, since the final product, during our production process, dries a little and during grinding the surface of the particles develops, which also affects the increase in the Y whiteness index.

• What is the mineralogical composition of the ore used in your production?

In our production we use high-quality ores with a mineralogical content of talc of 98-99%

• What are the granulometric parameters of the talcs you produce?

Our superfine grinding technology is capable of producing powders with an upper limit of up to 30 microns. The lower limit goes beyond 0.1 micrometer, but there is no exact data, since scientists have not yet been able to invent an apparatus for measuring granulometric parameters below 0.1 micrometer.

In professional circles, there is a clear gradation of powder measurements, namely: D10, D50, D95, D98. All these indicators in different variations are indicated in manufacturer certificates.

But if you analyze ALL the certificates of our competitors, you can easily see that they mainly give indicators of the size of medium particles, so as not to show “tails” during grinding and the absence of a fine fraction. This is due to the fact that all powder production technologies use a classification in their production, which makes it possible to “pull out” and isolate part of the powder from powders with a grind size of up to 20 microns, the upper limit of which will have D95 < 5 and 10 microns.

• What are the characteristics of the original ore? Can you provide certificates confirming this?

Indicators of the original ore are always attached in the form of a certificate to the batch of the finished product being shipped.

• Can you provide an MSDS ( REACH ) certificate – a safety certificate for your products?

Naturally, yes, we provide an MSDS ( REACH ) certificate, since this is a mandatory document that accompanies each batch of goods shipped.

• What is the lead time for an order?

The order completion time is determined by the contract and depends on :

·        varieties of talc ore,

·        granulometric indicators;

·        quantity of goods;

·        type of packaging;

·        delivery method.

• Oil absorption rates of talc?

The oil content of talc as a mineral is indicated in the supplier's original ore certificate. BUT since this is a rarely requested indicator, it must be additionally ordered from the ore supplier.

• Do you have documents from independent laboratories proving the quality and benefits of your products?

No, we do not have such studies in independent laboratories, because... All manufacturers have different production processes, and they study the influence of the supplied raw materials, including talc, on the characteristics of the final product in their laboratories and do not provide this data for open use. Each talc consumer examines all samples only in their own laboratories and in their own production facilities and never trusts third-party laboratories.

• Can you send samples of your products for testing with us?

Yes, we can send samples for both laboratory and industrial testing in your company.

• Do you produce talc for use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries?

No, we don't.

• Is it possible to label packaging according to the customer's order? If yes, in what way?

Yes, custom marking is possible; you need to clarify what exactly needs to be marked and how, as well as the quantity and frequency of these orders.

• What are the benefits of using talc over other fillers?

In most applications, talc is the UNALTERNATIVE filler. And only industries that have big problems with costs, that are trying to somehow survive in the markets, try to replace talc with carbonate fillers, which IN NO WAY can compete with, much less replace, talc. And everything that these manufacturers write on the Internet is nothing more than marketing ploys that are obvious to any specialist.

• How stable is your production in terms of quantity and quality of products?

The team of our specialists who created this plant has been involved in the grinding of minerals, including the production of fine talc, for more than 30 years. During this time, 2 factories were built and put into successful operation under customer orders, which showed stable operation, both in terms of quantity and quality of products.

Our patented technology allows us to control the stability of the indicators of produced talcs with a high degree of automation and has virtually no deviations from the specified parameters.

• What are your prices ?

 

Prices for our products depend on:

·        quality of the feedstock – talc ore (whiteness, laminarity);

·        the granulometric composition of talc required by the client;

·        the quantity and frequency of purchases that the client will make.

On average, we can say that our prices are in the range of 1200 – 2200 euros per metric ton, ex-works (the plant is located in the port area of Klaipeda).

• What are the terms of payment for products?

Our standard payment terms are prepayment, prepayment can be made in tranches depending on the size of the order and the timing of its execution, which are stipulated in the contract.

We can discuss the issue of deferred payment, but to do this we need to understand the volume and regularity of deliveries, as well as undergo a financial audit of the purchasing company.

• Can you arrange delivery to the client's warehouse?

Yes, we can arrange delivery by road or sea.

• How are your products packaged?

We deliver products on pallets; a pallet can contain:

·        2 big bag 500 kg;

·        or 40 paper bags of 25 kg each.

• What product certificates do you provide?

We provide Product Data Sheet , samples of which will be sent to you depending on what type of talc and for what area of production you need.