The current situation of domestic and international development of diatomite

Currently, the main areas of consumption of diatomites in the world are filters, synthetic fillers and insulation materials. The United States, the former Soviet union, France, Denmark and Germany are the main consumption countries of diatomites.The United States consumed 525, 000 tonnes in 1995, its consumption comprised of filters of 73 %, 14 % stuffing and 13% others. Currently, the consumption of diatomates in Western Europe is about 650,000 tons per year, with aid of 55% and industrial packing of 45%.

From macroscopic aspect, the main compositions of diatomite are: filter materials, insulation materials, functional fillers, building materials, catalyst carrier, cement mixed materials and other materials. The application structure is different because of different resource conditions and economic development levels. For example, the production of United State is705, 000 tons in 1997. The structure of the application is: 76% of the filter, 13% of the packing, and others for 20%.This is because the United States has large scale of the Lompoc diatomite deposit with very good quality. Denmark doesn’t have good diatomates but Moler diatomites are rich. which makes up 60% of the insulation materials and 40% of the packing materials. In French, 50% are filters and the stuffing is 50%.Germany has 50% of the stuffing, 30% as a filter and 20% as a catalyst.Japan made 35% for stuffing, 33% of filter ,21% for building materials and 11% as insulation materials.