Attapulgite clay, thickeners and rheology modifiers, and land reclamation at a Mingguang mining site

Attapulgite clay, thickeners and rheology modifiers, and land reclamation at a Mingguang mining site

Pesticides. Jet fuel. Olive oil. Railroad traction gel. Skin cream. Kitty litter. As you can imagine, markets like these don’t intersect very often. However, they do share one thing in common: they are all applications for attapulgite, a naturally occurring mineral used mainly as a filter, carrier and rheology modifier.

Thanks to its unique properties, the mineral has found applications in a wide range of industries, from agriculture to pharmaceuticals and automotive and beyond.

What exactly makes attapulgite so unique and versatile?

“The material is extremely stable in liquid formulations,” says Lance Richert, Sales and New Business Development Manager of Attapulgite Products at Mingguang. “Attapulgite provides significant rheology stability and adsorbent properties compared to market alternatives.”

With its three-dimensional chain structure, attapulgite has one-of-a-kind colloidal, absorbent and adsorbent properties. When fully hydrated, it thickens liquids without swelling. High thermal activation gives it the large surface area and porosity it needs for optimal sorptivity.