Perlite Production and Use – 2018
PERLITE
(Data in thousand metric tons unless otherwise noted)
Domestic Production and Use: In 2017, domestic sold and used processed crude perlite was estimated to be 455,000 tons with a value of $29.1 million. Crude ore production was from seven mines operated by six companies in five Western States. New Mexico continued to be the leading producing State. Processed crude perlite was expanded at 46 plants in 28 States. Domestic apparent consumption was 590,000 tons. The applications for expanded perlite were building construction products, 53%; horticultural aggregate, 15%; fillers, 15%; filter aid, 9%; and other, 8%. Other applications included specialty insulation and miscellaneous uses.
| Salient Statistics—United States: | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mine production, crude ore |
471 |
462 |
488 |
513 |
520 |
| Sold or used, processed crude perlite |
419 |
462 |
444 |
437 |
455 |
| Imports for consumption1 |
156 |
144 |
143 |
188 |
160 |
| Exports1 |
52 |
36 |
30 |
21 |
25 |
| Consumption, apparent2 |
523 |
570 |
557 |
604 |
590 |
| Price, average value, dollars per ton, f.o.b. mine |
57 |
55 |
60 |
64 |
64 |
| Employment, mine and mill, number |
117 |
119 |
142 |
135 |
140 |
| Net import reliance3 as a percentage of apparent consumption |
20 |
19 |
20 |
28 |
23 |
Recycling: Not available.
Import Sources (2013-16): Greece, 95%; Mexico, 2%; Turkey, 2%; and other, 1%.
Depletion Allowance: 10% (Domestic and foreign). Government Stockpile: None.
PERLITE
Events, Trends, and Issues: Perlite is a siliceous volcanic glass that expands up to 20 times its original volume when rapidly heated. Expanded perlite is used to provide moisture retention and aeration when added to soil. Construction applications for expanded perlite are numerous because it is lightweight, fire resistant, and an excellent insulator. Novel and small markets for perlite have increased during the past 10 years; environmental remediation has become an increasing market for perlite. During the final quarter of 2016 and throughout 2017, a new perlite deposit in Nevada was being actively explored and developed as a potential supplier of crude perlite ore for industrial and household applications.
Domestic perlite mining generally takes place in remote areas, and its environmental impact is not severe. The mineral fines, overburden, and reject ore produced during ore mining and processing are used to reclaim the mined- out areas, and, therefore, little waste remains. Airborne dust is captured by baghouses, and virtually no runoff contributes to water pollution.
Based on estimated world production for 2017, the world’s leading producers were, in descending order of production, China, Greece, Turkey, and the United States, with about 35%, 30%, 20%, and 10%, respectively, of world production. Although China was the leading producer, most of its perlite production was thought to be consumed internally. Greece and Turkey remained the leading exporters of perlite.
World Processed Perlite Production and Reserves: Reserves for Greece were revised based on information from official Government sources.
| Production | Reserves4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
2016e |
2017e |
|
|
| United States |
5513 |
5520 |
50,000 |
| China |
1,800 |
1,800 |
NA |
| Greece |
1,490 |
1,550 |
120,000 |
| Hungary |
30 |
50 |
28,000 |
| Iran |
60 |
60 |
NA |
| Mexico |
28 |
40 |
NA |
| Turkey |
950 |
1,000 |
57,000 |
| Other countries |
115 |
120 |
NA |
| World total (rounded) |
5,000 |
5,100 |
NA |
World Resources: Insufficient information is available to make reliable estimates of resources in perlite-producing countries.
Substitutes: In construction applications, diatomite, expanded clay and shale, pumice, and slag can be substituted for perlite. For horticultural uses, vermiculite, coco coir, wood pulp, and pumice are alternative soil additives and are sometimes used in conjunction with perlite.
eEstimated. NA Not available.
1Exports and imports were estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey from U.S. Census Bureau combined data for vermiculite, perlite, and chlorites, unexpanded.
2Defined as sold or used processed perlite + imports – exports. 3Defined as imports – exports.
4See Appendix C for resource and reserve definitions and information concerning data sources.
5U.S. mine production of crude ore.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2018