# Vermiculite

A mica-like mineral that puffs up when heated, used in potting mixes, lightweight concrete, insulation and fireproofing.

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

Industrial minerals · No. 71

- Not on a critical list
- HHI 1,754 · moderately concentrated
 Industrial minerals · Foundation · Matter

Flash-heat vermiculite and it swells like an accordion, which is why gardeners and builders use a mineral mined mostly in South Africa.

Chart: Illustration: Vermiculite

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Vermiculite is a hydrated, mica-like mineral formed when biotite or phlogopite alters, as at Palabora in South Africa. It is mined in open pits and concentrated by screening and air separation.

##### Three things to know

1. Concentrate is shipped dense and expanded near customers, at 12 US exfoliating plants in seven states.
2. Agriculture takes about 30% of US exfoliated vermiculite, lightweight concrete 16% and insulation 15%.
3. Value depends on flake size, how much it expands and freedom from asbestos; US import reliance is only 25%.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Altered mica**Biotite or phlogopite in igneous complexes
2. 2 **Open pit**Mined at sites like Palabora
3. 3 **Concentration**Screening and air separation
4. 4 **Exfoliation**Rapid heating turns water to steam
5. 5 **End uses**Potting mixes, lightweight concrete, insulation, fireproofing

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## Other sections

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