Kaolin
Kaolin, also called china clay, is a white clay built from the mineral kaolinite, formed where feldspar in granite and related rocks has weathered in place or been washed into a sedimentary basin. It is chemically inert, white, fine and platy, and it disperses in water at high solids, which is why it is used to coat and fill paper and board, as an extender in paints, inks and rubber, as the whiteware body in porcelain, sanitaryware and tableware, as a raw material for refractories and for calcined alumino silicate fillers, as the feedstock for fluid catalytic cracking catalysts, and as an excipient in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Listed kaolin markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
A kaolin contract turns on brightness, on particle size distribution and on rheology, because those three decide whether the clay will run on a coating blade, disperse in a paint, or fire to the right body.
Physical properties
13 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| ISO brightnessPercentage reflectance, under ISO 2470 | Measured on a pressed pad against the standard illuminant. The primary commercial grade term for filler and coating clays. |
| Colour in the CIE colour spaceReported as the lightness, red green and yellow blue coordinates | The whiteness of the clay expressed in three dimensions rather than one, specified where the shade matters as much as the brightness. |
| Fired colour and fired shrinkageReported at the stated firing schedule | For ceramic grades, the colour and the dimensional change after firing to the named cone or temperature. |
| Low shear viscosityMillipascal seconds at the stated solids and shear rate | Determined on a rotational viscometer. It governs whether a coating colour can be pumped and stored. |
| High shear viscosityReported at the stated solids and shear rate | Determined on a capillary or high shear viscometer. It governs the behaviour under a coating blade at machine speed. |
| Maximum dispersed solidsPercentage by mass | The highest solids at which the clay still forms a usable slurry. It sets the freight cost of a slurry shipment and the water load on the paper machine. |
| Dispersant demandKilograms per tonne of dry clay | How much dispersant the clay needs to reach the specified solids and viscosity. |
| Plasticity and dry strengthReported against the named method | For ceramic grades, whether the body can be shaped and handled unfired. |
| Modulus of rupture, dry and firedMegapascals | The strength of the formed and fired body, measured on standard bars. |
| Oil absorptionGrams of oil per hundred grams | For paint and rubber grades, the binder demand of the clay. |
| AbrasionReported against the named method | Determined on a wear test. Abrasive clay wears out a coating blade and a printing plate. |
| MoisturePercentage by mass, maximum | Determined by oven drying, on the dry powder and lump grades. |
| pH of a water extractpH units | Determined on a slurry at the stated solids. |
Chemical assay
11 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Processing routeDeclared, as water washed, air floated, delaminated, calcined, surface treated or crude | The route sets the whole property profile and is named before any number on the contract. |
| Kaolinite contentPercentage by mass | Determined by X-ray diffraction or calculated from the chemistry. The mineral the buyer is paying for. |
| AluminaPercentage by mass | Determined by X-ray fluorescence under ISO 12677. It tracks the kaolinite content and is the term refractory and catalyst buyers work to. |
| SilicaPercentage by mass | Free quartz above the structural silica dilutes the clay and raises the abrasion. |
| Iron as ferric oxidePercentage by mass, maximum | The principal colour spoiler. It is the term that separates a coating clay from a filler clay. |
| Titanium as titanium dioxidePercentage by mass, maximum | The second colour term, giving a cream cast, and it is why some deposits are magnetically or chemically brightened. |
| Alkalis as sodium and potassium oxidePercentage by mass, maximum | Residual feldspar and mica, which act as fluxes in a fired body. |
| Calcium and magnesium oxidePercentage by mass, maximum | Carbonate and dolomite impurities. |
| Loss on ignitionPercentage by mass | Determined at the stated temperature. On kaolin it is largely the structural water and it distinguishes a hydrous clay from a calcined one. |
| Soluble salts and conductivityMilligrams per kilogram, and microsiemens per centimetre | Determined on a water extract. Soluble salts interfere with dispersion and with ceramic casting. |
| Surface treatmentDeclared, with the treatment named | Where the clay is silane or stearate treated for a polymer or rubber application. |
Particle size and sizing
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Particle size distributionMicrometres, as the percentage by mass finer than the stated equivalent spherical diameter | Determined by sedimentation or by laser diffraction under ISO 13320. In kaolin the distribution is a grade, not a tolerance, and coating clays are specified on the fine fraction. |
| Median particle sizeMicrometres | The fiftieth percentile of the distribution. |
| Aspect ratio and shape factorReported against the named method | The platyness of the particle, which governs the opacity, the barrier property and the sheet gloss. |
| Residue on the coarse sievePercentage by mass retained, or milligrams per kilogram | Determined on test sieves conforming to ISO 3310. Grit is a rejection term because it scratches a coated sheet. |
| Specific surface areaSquare metres per gram | Determined by nitrogen adsorption. It tracks the fineness and the binder demand. |
Contaminants and regulated substances
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Crystalline silicaPercentage by mass | Quartz in hydrous clay and cristobalite formed on calcination. Declared on the safety data sheet and it drives the dust controls. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram, maximum | Arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury against the pharmacopoeial or food contact limit at the destination. |
| Pharmacopoeial identity and purityPass or fail against the named monograph | For pharmaceutical and cosmetic grade, the identity, acid soluble matter, loss on drying and microbial limits set by the United States Pharmacopeia or the European Pharmacopoeia. |
| Microbiological limitsColony forming units per gram, maximum, with named absent organisms | For pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food contact grades. |
| Food contact and additive complianceDeclared | Where the clay enters food contact paper or board, the applicable regulation at the destination. |
| Asbestiform mineralsPass or fail against the named method | Screened where the deposit or the destination requires it. |
Delivery, documentation and certification
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Form and packingDeclared | Bulk, big bags of a stated net weight, paper or polywoven bags palletised and shrink wrapped, or containerised bulk in liners. The pack is a price term because it drives the handling cost at both ends. |
| Moisture at loadingPercentage by mass, maximum | Determined by oven drying on a loading sample. Moisture is paid for as mineral unless the contract sets a dry weight basis, so it is always specified. |
| Weight basisDeclared | Wet or dry metric tonnes, on shipped weight or landed weight, with the survey house named and the draft survey or weighbridge method stated. |
| Sampling and assay protocolDeclared | Who samples, at which point, to what standard, how the sample is split and sealed, and which laboratory umpires a dispute. It is agreed before loading, not after. |
| Transportable moisture limitPercentage by mass | Where the cargo is a group A material under the maritime bulk cargoes code, the flow moisture point and the transportable moisture limit are certified before loading. |
| Safety data sheetDocument, to the globally harmonised system format | Classification, handling and respirable crystalline silica statement, supplied with every consignment. |
| Certificate of analysisDocument, per lot | Issued by the named laboratory against the contract specification, referencing the lot and the sampling record. |
| Regulatory registrationDeclared | Chemical registration at the destination where the mineral requires one, named on the contract. |
| Origin and due diligenceDeclared, with the mine or plant named | Country of origin, the mine or processing plant, and where required the responsible sourcing statement. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| United Kingdom | Northern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Germany | Western Europe | Destination |
| Czechia | Central Europe | Origin and destination |
| Ukraine | Eastern Europe | Origin and destination |
| India | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| China | East Asia | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Europe and Anatolia | Origin and destination |
| Spain | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| France | Western Europe | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Portugal | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Poland | Central Europe | Origin and destination |
| Bulgaria | Southeast Europe | Origin and destination |
| Romania | Southeast Europe | Origin and destination |
| Russian Federation | Eurasia | Origin and destination |
| Kazakhstan | Central Asia | Origin and destination |
| Greece | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Netherlands | Northwest Europe | Destination and trading hub |
| Belgium | Northwest Europe | Destination |
| Egypt | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Morocco | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Nigeria | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Ghana | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Kenya | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Tanzania, United Republic of | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| South Africa | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Mozambique | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | North America | Origin and destination |
| Colombia | South America | Origin and destination |
| Peru | South America | Origin and destination |
| Chile | South America | Origin and destination |
| Argentina | South America | Origin and destination |
| Canada | North America | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| New Zealand | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| Korea, Republic of | East Asia | Destination |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Viet Nam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Indonesia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Malaysia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Trading and finance |
| Switzerland | Western Europe | Trading and finance |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Destination and trading hub |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Israel | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Qatar | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Oman | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Algeria | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Tunisia | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Senegal | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Uganda | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Namibia | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Zimbabwe | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Bolivia, Plurinational State of | South America | Origin and destination |
| Madagascar | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Production is when the mineral is mined and processed at origin, which follows the mine plan and the weather at the pit rather than a crop season. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is drying, grading, bagging and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe Georgia and South Carolina sedimentary belt, the largest water washed and calcined kaolin complex in the world, supplying paper, paint and catalyst markets. |
| Brazil | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe Amazon basin deposits produce very high brightness coating clay, shipping as slurry and as dry product through the northern ports. |
| United Kingdom | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe Cornwall and Devon china clay district, the original primary kaolin source, supplying ceramic and paper grades to Europe. |
| Germany | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecBavarian and Saxon production supplying the European ceramic, paper and filler industries. |
| Czechia | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecLong established primary kaolin production for porcelain, sanitaryware and paper. |
| Ukraine | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecPrimary kaolin production supplying the ceramic and refractory industries of Europe. |
| India | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecKerala, Rajasthan and Gujarat production supplying the domestic paper, paint and ceramic industries and the regional export market. |
| China | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecLarge primary and sedimentary production supplying the domestic ceramic and paper industries. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and tonnage already sitting in a destination warehouse or terminal.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for kaolin. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading2507.00 Kaolin and other kaolinic clays, whether or not calcined
- PackingBulk in a lined container, 1 t big bags, or 25 kg to 50 kg paper or PP bags on pallets. Moisture and particle size distribution stated on the certificate of analysis at load.
- Container loading20ft: 26 t to 28 t bulk or big bag. Weight limited well before volume. Check the road weight limit at the destination before fixing the box size.
- Contract and arbitrationSale on typical analysis with a certificate of analysis at load port and an umpire clause. ASTM and API specifications where they exist, including API 13A for drilling grade barite and bentonite. Arbitration under ICC rules or at the contract seat.
- Destination limitsEU REACH registration above one tonne per importer per year, respirable crystalline silica exposure controls under Directive 2017/2398, asbestos screening for talc and vermiculite, NORM screening on heavy mineral products, and food, pharmacopoeia or cosmetic grade certification where the end use requires it.
Common questions
What grades of kaolin does SIP Global trade?
We quote 44 published grades of kaolin, including ISO brightness - Percentage reflectance, under ISO 2470, Colour in the CIE colour space - Reported as the lightness, red green and yellow blue coordinates, Fired colour and fired shrinkage - Reported at the stated firing schedule, Low shear viscosity - Millipascal seconds at the stated solids and shear rate, High shear viscosity - Reported at the stated solids and shear rate and Maximum dispersed solids - Percentage by mass. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is kaolin graded?
A kaolin contract turns on brightness, on particle size distribution and on rheology, because those three decide whether the clay will run on a coating blade, disperse in a paint, or fire to the right body. Grading runs on 5 systems: Physical properties, Chemical assay, Particle size and sizing, Contaminants and regulated substances and Delivery, documentation and certification.
Where does SIP Global trade kaolin?
We trade kaolin in United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany, Czechia, Ukraine, India and China and 52 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is kaolin harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are United States: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Brazil: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; United Kingdom: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Germany: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Czechia: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for kaolin?
Kaolin is normally classified under HS 2507.00 (kaolin and other kaolinic clays, whether or not calcined). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for kaolin?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed kaolin market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.