Whether you need to enhance plant food or clean up hazardous waste, vermiculite acts as an absorbent bulking agent. Learn why vermiculite is a trusted mineral across a range of industries and absorbent applications.

Beneficial Properties of Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring magnesium-iron-aluminum silicate mineral. This grouping of hydrated materials makes it a type of flaky, light-colored mica. As it’s heated, it expands, creating pockets of air in a lightweight structure with the following properties:

• Absorbent. Capable of absorbing more than three times its volume in water.
• Retains Water. Once it absorbs moisture, it can retain and gradually release it.
• Attracts Nutrients. When added to plants, it attracts, holds, and evenly disperses essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
• Durable. Compresses under pressure, making it ideal for flexible applications.
• Heat-Resistant. Ideal for high-temperature and fireproofing applications.
• Eco-Friendly. A natural, non-toxic alternative to synthetic bulking agents.
• Non-Decomposing. Won’t rot, mold, or breakdown, making it a reliable and long-lasting material.
• Cost-Effective. Lightweight material reduces transportation and labor costs.
• Easy to Use. Adds bulk without the weight, streamlining handling and application processes.

With so many benefits to one naturally occurring mineral, it’s no wonder that vermiculite is used in a variety of ways for a range of industries.

Absorbent Vermiculite Applications

Since vermiculite is an excellent absorbing agent and easily adds lightweight bulk, it has a number of everyday and emergency uses:

• Adds texture and structure to animal feed while delivering slow-release nutrients for improved digestibility, health, and productivity.
• Ensures even dispersion of liquid and solid fertilizers, optimizing plant growth.
• Safely absorbs, carries, and disperses chemicals, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Ideal for absorbing industrial spills and cleaning up hazardous waste.
• Used as a safe packaging product when transporting and storing hazardous materials to prevent leaks and spills.

When it comes to hazardous waste, you want to make sure the products you’re using for containment are both safe and effective. Not only is vermiculite up for the task, but its non-toxic properties won’t add more fuel to the fire.

Trusting Vermiculite with Hazardous Materials

From transporting hazardous liquids to managing chemical spills, safety should be a top priority. Vermiculite is mined from natural deposits, making it easy to access and eco-friendly, two keys to sourcing a product for highly regulated applications.

The absorbent rate of vermiculite depends on the size of the particles, the type of liquid, and the quantity of liquid being absorbed. In order to comply with strict regulations for transporting potentially dangerous goods, it’s important to understand how much vermiculite you need to absorb the total density of the liquid in transit.

Vermiculite is available in a variety of grades to fit your specific needs. Choose the right grade for spill cleanup, containment, or shock-absorbent protection during transportation and storage of flammable liquids or hazardous chemicals such as:

• Acids, bases, and alkalis
• Coolants and oils
• Paints and solvents
• Inks and dyes

Spills are not only dangerous for handlers and the surrounding area, but it also leads to costly delays and fines for your business. Any chemical processing plant or storage facility, printing and paint shop, transport warehouse, food and beverage plant, and automotive workshop should always have absorbent materials on hand for spill cleanup and containment.

With its unique combination of absorbency, lightweight properties, and durability, vermiculite is an essential material in any market. Specialty Vermiculite delivers high-quality vermiculite products tailored to meet your specific needs. Contact us for more information about our products and choosing the right grade for your application.