# Diatomite

Fossil skeletons of microscopic algae, mined as a light, porous silica powder that filters beer, wine, water and oils.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/

Industrial minerals · No. 67

- Not on a critical list
- HHI 1,676 · moderately concentrated
 Industrial minerals · Foundation · Matter

Your beer, wine and tap water may be filtered through the fossil skeletons of microscopic algae dug from ancient lake beds.

Chart: Illustration: Diatomite

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Diatomite is the piled-up silica shells of dead diatoms, laid down in ancient lakes and seas. US deposits in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington lie near the surface, so open pits are cheap.

##### Three things to know

1. About 60% of US diatomite goes into filtration, including beer, wine and public drinking water.
2. In 2025 diatomite sold for about $10/t as concrete aggregate but over $1,000/t for DNA extraction and cosmetics.
3. Diatomite is also called kieselguhr, and an impure Danish form is moler; Denmark supplied about 15% of world output in 2025.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Sediment**Diatom-rich ancient lake or sea beds
2. 2 **Mining**Open pit or underground
3. 3 **Processing**Dried, milled and air-classified
4. 4 **Calcining**Heated or flux-calcined for filter grades
5. 5 **End uses**Filter aids, absorbents, fillers, pesticide carriers

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## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/correlation/index.md)
- [Extraction](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/extraction/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/production/index.md)
- [Stocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/stocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/movement/index.md)
- [Criticality](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/criticality/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/diatomite/links/index.md)