Feldspar: Overview
Why ceramics and glass split almost all feldspar between them
What this tab covers What the commodity is used for, why, in what volumes and with what alternatives, and its chain from mine or field to end user. Also the latest price moves, top recent news, three things to know, and buttons into each tab.Key uses
| Use | Share | Annual volume | Why this commodity | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics: floor and wall tiles, sanitaryware, tableware and porcelain (bodies and glazes) | 53% | about 230,000 t a year in the USbasis | Feldspar is the flux in ceramic bodies: its potassium and sodium melt at kiln temperatures, form a glassy phase that binds quartz and clay, and give low porosity and strength. Vitrified and porcelain tiles use a lot of it, which is why the tile clusters of Castellon, Sassuolo and Morbi are the main buyers worldwide. USGS MCS 2026, Feldspar and Nepheline Syenite | Nepheline syenite (main alternative flux) Pyrophyllite, talc and spodumene in some bodies Feldspathic sands and feldspar-silica mixtures |
| Glass: containers, flat glass and specialty glass | 47% | about 207,000 t a year in the US (including fibreglass)basis | Feldspar adds alumina to glass, which makes it more durable and resistant to chemicals, and its alkalis act as a flux that lowers melting energy. Glass makers grind it to about 20 mesh. A move from plastic to glass packaging supports demand (USGS 2025). USGS MCS 2026 | Nepheline syenite (higher alumina and alkali) Electric furnace slag and aplite Recycled cullet reduces feldspar per tonne of glass |
| Glass fibre insulation | n/a | n/a basis | Fibreglass for home insulation needs alumina for fibre strength, and feldspar is a cheap natural source. Demand follows new housing starts, which rose slightly in the US in early 2025 (USGS). USGS MCS 2026 | Kaolin or calcined alumina as alumina source Mineral wool (competing insulation) |
| Fillers and extenders in paints, plastics, rubber and sealants | n/a | n/a basis | Finely ground feldspar (200 mesh or finer) is a hard, white, chemically inert filler with a refractive index close to many resins, so it keeps clear coats and plastics transparent while adding abrasion resistance. USGS MCS 2026 | Ground silica Nepheline syenite Calcium carbonate and kaolin |
From mine to user
- 1. Deposit Pegmatites, alaskite (feldspar-rich granite), weathered granites and feldspathic sands. Reserves are 720 Mt in Turkey and 320 Mt in India (USGS 2026).
- 2. Mining Open pits with drilling and blasting in hard rock, or excavators in sands. US: six companies, eight mines in 2025 (USGS).
- 3. Crushing and grinding Ground to about 20 mesh for glass and to 200 mesh or finer for ceramics and fillers (USGS).
- 4. Beneficiation Flotation separates feldspar from mica, quartz and iron minerals; magnetic separation cuts iron for white-firing grades. US plants also recover mica and silica sand.
- 5. Grading by chemistry Sold as sodium or potassium feldspar with set Fe2O3 and TiO2 limits. US unit value about $110/t in 2025 (USGS).
- 6. Bulk shipping Turkey ships sodium feldspar by sea to Italy and Spain; Turkey supplied 51% of EU needs in the 2023 assessment (EU CRM).
- 7. End users Tile, sanitaryware and glass plants blend feldspar with clay, quartz and soda ash.
Price movement snapshot 2026-10-25
No public daily or monthly benchmark price for this commodity in the datasets used.
World production 36.4 m tonnes, 2024 Largest producer Turkey 24.71% of worldThree things to know
- Feldspar is on the EU's 2023 critical raw materials list, with 54% EU import reliance.
- Turkey supplied 93% of US feldspar imports in 2021-24 (USGS).
- US feldspar plants also recover mica and silica sand from the same ore (USGS).
Top recent news snapshot 2026-10-25, last 30 days
No recent articles from the listed publishers were found in the snapshot.