A Legacy of Excellence in Every Flake

Palabora Vermiculite isn't just a high-performance mineral; it's the culmination of over 70 years of expertise. Sourced from a unique deposit in the Phalaborwa region of the Limpopo Province, our crude vermiculite offers consistent quality and exceptional performance. Building on our rich heritage, we deliver a trusted product that empowers innovation across diverse industries.
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Inside The Layers of Expansion

What is Vermiculite?
Vermiculite is prized for its superb thermal insulation and moisture control properties. It is extensively employed in diverse industries, from construction and agriculture to horticulture and various industrial uses. Vermiculite is most widely used in its exfoliated form.

Crude vermiculite from the Palabora mine consists of golden/brown flakes which are carefully classified into several grades - each having a specified range of particle sizes.  The coarsest grade comprises particles ranging between -8mm and 2.8mm, while the finest grade consists of particles between -0.1mm and 0.0mm in size.
Technical Data Sheet

Select a grade above

Fine-Grade Vermiculite: Fine-grade vermiculite, with a particle size of 0.3-1mm, is a lightweight and porous mineral derived from heating natural vermiculite. Its expanded, spongy material finds applications in horticulture, industry, and agriculture. Used for seed starting and propagation, it creates well-balanced potting mixes, improves soil structure, and enhances water retention. With excellent thermal insulation properties, it is widely used as an insulating material.

Fine Grade

Fine-Grade Vermiculite: Fine-grade vermiculite, with a particle size of 0.3-1mm, is a lightweight and porous mineral derived from heating natural vermiculite. Its expanded, spongy material finds applications in horticulture, industry, and agriculture. Used for seed starting and propagation, it creates well-balanced potting mixes, improves soil structure, and enhances water retention. With excellent thermal insulation properties, it is widely used as an insulating material.

Large Grade

Large Grade Vermiculite (-8.0 +2.8mm): Large-grade vermiculite, with a particle size range of -8.0 +2.8mm, is characterised by its substantial size. This grade is suitable for applications where a larger particle size is desired. Whether used in specific horticultural projects, industrial applications, or other contexts, the larger particles contribute to the unique properties of this vermiculite grade, providing distinct benefits based on its size.

Medium Grade

Medium-Grade Vermiculite: Medium-grade vermiculite, with a particle size of around 2-4mm, is a lightweight and highly absorbent mineral. Derived from natural minerals through a heating process, it expands into a spongy material with strong water retention. Widely used in agriculture and horticulture, it serves as a soil amendment, potting component, and aids in seed starting by providing excellent aeration, drainage, and moisture retention.

Superfine Grade

Superfine Grade Vermiculite: Superfine grade vermiculite, finely ground with a particle size of less than 0.3mm, is a highly absorbent mineral used in high-end horticultural and industrial applications. Obtained by grinding natural vermiculite into a fine powder, it excels in seed starting and propagation, providing superior moisture retention, aeration, and drainage. Additionally, it is utilised in hydroponic growing media, lightweight concrete production, and as a filler in paints, coatings, and plastics.

Micron Grade

An ultra-fine mineral with a particle size of less than 20 microns, is predominantly employed in industrial applications. Known for its water retention and insulating properties, it is utilised in the production of refractory materials, lightweight concrete, paints, coatings, and plastics. Its versatility extends to additives in animal feeds, offering benefits in digestion and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, it serves as a natural absorbent in cosmetics and finds applications in brake linings for vehicles, as well as soundproofing and insulation.

Large

With a particle size range of -8.0 + 2.8mm, is characterised by its substantial size. This grade is suitable for applications where a larger particle size is desired. Whether used in specific horticultural projects, industrial applications, or other contexts, the larger particles contribute to the unique properties of this vermiculite grade, providing distinct benefits based on its size.

Medium

With a particle size of around -4.0 + 1.4mm, is a lightweight and highly absorbent mineral. Derived from natural minerals through a heating process, it expands into a spongy material with strong water retention. Widely used in agriculture and horticulture, it serves as a soil amendment, potting component, and aids in seed starting by providing excellent aeration, drainage, and moisture retention.

Fine

With a particle size of -2.0 + 0.71mm, is a lightweight and porous mineral derived from heating natural vermiculite. Its expanded, spongy material finds applications in horticulture, industry, and agriculture. Used for seed starting and propagation, it creates well-balanced potting mixes, improves soil structure, and enhances water retention. With excellent thermal insulation properties, it is widely used as an insulating material.

SuperFine

Finely ground with a particle size between -1.0 + 0.355mm, is a highly absorbent mineral used in high-end horticultural and industrial applications. Obtained by grinding natural vermiculite into a fine powder, it excels in seed starting and propagation, providing superior moisture retention, aeration, and drainage. Additionally, it is utilised in hydroponic growing media, lightweight concrete production, and as a filler in paints, coatings, and plastics.

Micron

An ultra-fine mineral with a particle size of less than -0.71 + 0.25mm, is predominantly employed in industrial applications. Known for its water retention and insulating properties, it is utilized in the production of refractory materials, lightweight concrete, paints, coatings, and plastics. Its versatility extends to additives in animal feeds, offering benefits in digestion and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, it serves as a natural absorbent in cosmetics and finds applications in brake linings for vehicles, as well as soundproofing and insulation.

Vermiculite, prized for its superb thermal insulation properties, is extensively employed in insulation applications. Its expanded, spongy composition, a result of natural heating, renders it an ideal choice for insulating structures, actively contributing to enhanced energy efficiency.

Why Vermiculite?

Vermiculite, prized for its superb thermal insulation properties, is extensively employed in insulation applications. Its expanded, spongy composition, a result of natural heating, renders it an ideal choice for insulating structures, actively contributing to enhanced energy efficiency.

Industrial Manufacturing

Micron-grade vermiculite, with a particle size less than 20 microns, finds application in industrial settings. Its water retention and insulating properties make it vital in refractory materials, lightweight concrete, paints, coatings, plastics, animal feeds, and automotive components.

Insulation

Fine-grade vermiculite, valued for its excellent thermal insulation properties, is widely used in insulation applications. Its expanded, spongy structure, derived from natural heating, makes it ideal for insulating structures, contributing to energy efficiency.

Horticulture

Vermiculite in horticulture is a lightweight mineral derived from natural sources. With a particle size of 2-4mm, it enhances soil structure, providing exceptional aeration, drainage, and moisture retention. Widely used as a soil amendment and in potting, it promotes optimal germination conditions.

Propagation

Fine-grade vermiculite, resulting from high-temperature expansion, is a lightweight, porous mineral (0.3-1mm). Widely used in seed starting and propagation, it creates well-balanced potting mixes, aiding in healthy seed germination and root growth.

Hydroponics

Superfine grade vermiculite, with particles less than 0.3mm, is utilised in high-end horticulture and hydroponics. It excels in seed starting and propagation by providing superior moisture retention, aeration, and drainage in growing media.
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