September 28, 2024 – In the intricate landscape of the paper industry, fillers and pigments have emerged as the second most crucial raw materials after fibers, occupying a pivotal role. Among these, calcium carbonate stands out due to its extensive usage, advanced modification technologies, escalating application value, and notable cost advantages. Both ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), despite their differing physical properties, exhibit exceptional performance in the realms of fillers and coating pigments, heralding vast prospects for their application.
The integration of calcium carbonate into the manufacturing process of printing paper has not only notably enhanced opacity and whiteness but has also significantly optimized printability and ink absorption, resulting in a softer, more comfortable paper texture while maintaining the physical strength of the sheet. This achieves a perfect balance between quality and cost. In the coating sector, calcium carbonate, a leading figure in the pigment world, is widely utilized in base and top coating processes to elevate the quality and appearance uniformity of printed products. Its high whiteness and excellent flow properties make it an ideal choice for formulating high-concentration coatings, while effectively reducing the need for binders, optimizing ink receptivity, and imparting exceptional breathability and a pure, bright tone to the coating.
According to insights from the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, heavy calcium carbonate (HCC) and light calcium carbonate (LCC), as the two primary representatives of paper fillers, each play vital roles in different paper types. HCC finds widespread application in printing paper, writing paper, office paper, and advertising paper, where there are stringent requirements for paper whiteness and calcium carbonate content. Meanwhile, LCC is favored for high-end paper products such as cigarette paper and premium office information paper, enhancing not only the physical properties but also imparting a fine, uniform appearance.
Furthermore, the application of calcium carbonate in paper coating pigments unveils a colorful world and boundless possibilities. Both HCC and LCC play crucial roles in base and top coating processes, optimizing coating performance and appearance. With the sustained prosperity and stable growth of the paper market, the calcium carbonate industry is poised to embrace even broader development opportunities. Data from the China Paper Association reveals steady growth in both the production and consumption of paper and paperboard in China, providing a vast stage for calcium carbonate products and indicating a promising future for the calcium carbonate industry amidst the synergistic development of the paper industry chain.