The Mineral
Calcium carbonate is a chemical substance with the formula CaCO3. It is the main component of rocks such as limestone. In nature, calcium carbonate minerals are found in three forms:
- Aragonite: When the crystals have an orthorhombic shape.
- Calcite: When the crystals have the shape of a rhombohedral or trigonal form. It is the most stable mineral of calcium carbonates.
- Vaterite: A less stable polymorphous mineral of calcium carbonate that crystallizes in a hexagonal system. Because it is the least stable among calcium carbonate minerals, it is the scarcest in natural environments.
Typical characteristics of the main carbonate reserves found in Brazil & World
| Carbonates | %CaCo3 | %RI | Region | Color |
| Calcitic Lime | > 85.00 | < 2.5 | ES-BR | Extra White |
| Cretaceous | > 94.00 | < 1.50 | CE/RN-BR | Beige |
| Dolomitic | > 60.00 | < 5.00 | PR-BR | White |
| Calcitic Lime | > 98.00 | < 0.20 | Turkey | White |
| Calcitic Lime | > 94.00 | < 0.50 | USA | White |
Main applications
Pipes and Fittings / Liners / Profiles & Tiles - PVC
Calcium carbonate is used in numerous rigid PVC applications, the most significant being in pipes, fittings, liners, profiles, and tiles. PROFINE is constantly investing to offer its customers the best product line for these applications
Molding
Among the main advantages of PROFINE calcium carbonate in molding applications, we highlight: • Reduction in process cycle time; • Better dimensional stability; • Greater rigidity; • Better impact resistance; • Possibility of reducing the use of titanium dioxide; • Fusion at lower temperatures.
Polypropylene plates
PROFINE calcium carbonates can be incorporated up to 60% with polypropylene without letting the products lose their desired final quality.
Films
PROFINE natural calcium carbonates are indicated to improve the productivity and mechanical properties in various types of applications, bringing benefits from thinner to thicker films. In addition to providing more stiffness to parts and increased impact resistance, Profine micronized carbonates increase production in all types of plastic processing industries.
Raffia
Profine coated micronized calcium carbonates are indicated to improve the mechanical properties of raffia.
Polyester
PROFINE NANOFINE 1 micronized carbonate is a mineral additive indicated to reduce raw material costs and improve the final quality of polyesters.
Cables
In addition to the cost reduction due to the introduction of high percentages of calcium carbonate in flexible PVC's, depending on the applications and choices of the type of calcium carbonate, several benefits can be identified in the process and in the final product.
Rubber & Elastomer
With the use of the appropriate type of PROFINE calcium carbonate, users can achieve great savings, since they can add a high load of GCC without, with this, harming the processing or the final properties of the pieces.
Agriculture
Thermoplastic
With the use of PROFINE carbonates, it is possible to improve the control of viscosity, the thermal expansion coefficient, mechanical and optical properties, in addition to considerably reducing final production costs.
Food & Toothpaste
PROPFINE's unit is prepared for the production of special carbonates for food, toothpaste and other applications where chemical purity and production process controls are essential for safety in its use.
Oil & Gas
We are a reference in the market, as a major producer and distributor of a wide line of additives for the Oil and Gas segment, used in drilling, production and cementing of wells. Among the outstanding products are: Aragonites (2-44/44-74/74-174), calcium carbonates that are coarse, intermediate, medium, fine and micronized.
Paints
We produce a wide variety of calcium carbonates with different average particle sizes and coverage. The PROFINE line is able to significantly improve some of the main properties of paints, besides providing savings in formulations.