Product Overview & China Production Capacity
Kaolin (China Clay, CAS 1332-58-7, molecular formula Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄) is a naturally occurring hydrated aluminum silicate mineral with a layered crystal structure. In pharmaceutical applications, purified kaolin serves as an adsorbent in antidiarrheal formulations, a protective agent in topical preparations, a diluent and binder in tablet manufacturing, and a suspending agent in liquid dosage forms. Its high adsorption capacity, chemical inertness, and excellent biocompatibility make it a well-established pharmaceutical excipient with centuries of therapeutic use.
China is the world’s largest kaolin producer with annual output exceeding 6 million MT, representing over 30% of global production. Our pharmaceutical-grade kaolin processing facility in Jiangxi Province — home to some of the world’s highest-quality kaolin deposits — produces 20,000 MT/year of purified, classified, and sterilized kaolin meeting the most stringent pharmaceutical specifications.
Manufacturing Standards & Quality Assurance
Our kaolin processing plant operates under quality controls with ISO 9001:2015 certification. The product meets USP/NF, EP, BP, and ChP monograph specifications for Kaolin. Our multi-stage processing includes wet beneficiation, magnetic separation (for iron removal), hydrocyclone classification, chemical bleaching, spray drying, and calcination for specific grades. All source mines are tested for naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM).
Quality control testing includes mineralogical composition (XRD), particle size distribution (laser diffraction and sedimentation), loss on ignition, pH, grit content, moisture, iron oxide content, heavy metals (ICP-MS), arsenic, and microbial limits. Adsorption capacity testing (methylene blue method) is performed for antidiarrheal-grade material.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Fine white to off-white powder |
| Kaolinite Content (XRD) | ≥90% |
| Loss on Ignition (1000°C) | 12.0–14.5% |
| pH (20% slurry) | 4.0–8.0 |
| Moisture | ≤1.5% |
| Grit (>45 µm residue) | ≤0.1% |
| Iron Oxide (Fe₂O₃) | ≤0.5% |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤3 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Particle Size (D50) | 1.0–5.0 µm (pharma grade) |
Packaging & Export Logistics
Supplied in 25 kg PE-lined paper bags, 500 kg and 1,000 kg FIBCs. Store in a dry environment at ambient temperature. Shelf life is 60 months from manufacture — kaolin is an inorganic mineral with excellent long-term stability. Non-hazardous for transport. Container loading: 24–26 MT per 20′ FCL.
We ship from Shanghai, Xiamen, and Guangzhou ports. Kaolin is a high-density product allowing maximum container utilization. Full documentation includes COA, MSDS, mineralogical analysis report, and certificates of origin.
China Supply Advantage
China’s world-class kaolin deposits in Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces yield exceptionally white, high-kaolinite-content clay ideal for pharmaceutical applications. Competitive pricing is 50–65% below processed kaolin from US, UK, and Brazilian sources. Our proximity to premium raw material deposits eliminates long transport chains and intermediary costs.
MOQ is 1,000 kg with 5–7 business day lead time. We offer multiple pharmaceutical grades including heavy kaolin, light kaolin, and calcined kaolin. Custom particle size classifications are available for specialized formulations. Our mineralogist team can assist with grade selection for specific pharmaceutical applications. Contact us for samples and competitive pricing.