Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃) is a high-purity mineral compound widely used in agriculture, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, plastics, paper, paint, and construction industries. This versatile white crystalline powder serves as an essential calcium source for plant nutrition, pH adjustment, industrial filler, and food fortification. We supply food-grade, pharmaceutical-grade, industrial-grade, and precipitated Calcium Carbonate with reliable delivery across South Africa, SADC, and international markets.

High-Purity Calcium Carbonate – Food, Pharmaceutical & Industrial Grade
Essential Calcium Source – Ground & Precipitated Forms Available
Used in Agriculture, Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals & Manufacturing
Available in Bulk – Powder & Granular Forms, Various Mesh Sizes
Fast Delivery Across South Africa, SADC & Global Markets
CAS Number: 471-34-1

Premium Calcium Source for Agricultural & Industrial Applications

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃) is a naturally occurring white crystalline compound that serves as one of the most versatile and widely used minerals across multiple industries. Available in both ground natural limestone and precipitated synthetic forms, it provides essential calcium nutrition for plant growth, serves as a pH buffer in agricultural applications, and functions as a critical raw material in manufacturing processes. Beyond agriculture, Calcium Carbonate finds extensive use in food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, plastics, paper production, paint formulation, and construction materials due to its high purity, chemical inertness, and excellent physical properties.

Product Specifications

Property Specification
Chemical Formula CaCO₃
Appearance White crystalline powder or granules
Purity ≥ 95% CaCO₃ (Industrial), ≥ 98% (Food), ≥ 99% (Pharmaceutical)
Calcium Content 40% Ca (theoretical)
Moisture Content ≤ 0.5% maximum
Solubility 0.013 g/L in water at 25°C
pH (10% Slurry) 8.5 – 10.5
Particle Size 200-3000 mesh (various grades available)
Packaging 25 kg bags, 50 kg bags, 1000 kg big bags

Applications of Calcium Carbonate

Agricultural Applications

  • Soil pH adjustment and lime replacement for acidic soils
  • Calcium nutrition for field crops, fruits, and vegetables
  • Animal feed supplement for poultry, livestock, and aquaculture
  • Organic farming as approved soil amendment

Food Processing Industry

  • Food fortification for calcium enrichment in beverages and cereals
  • Baking applications as dough conditioner and leavening agent
  • Dairy industry for calcium supplementation in milk products
  • Nutritional supplements manufacturing for human consumption

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

  • Tablet production as excipient and active ingredient
  • Antacid formulations for stomach acid neutralization
  • Calcium supplements for bone health and osteoporosis prevention
  • Pharmaceutical coatings for controlled-release formulations

Plastics & Rubber Industry

  • Polymer filler for cost reduction and property enhancement
  • PVC applications for improved processability and durability
  • Rubber compounding for reinforcement and cost optimization
  • Masterbatch production for consistent color and properties

Paper Manufacturing

  • Paper filler for brightness and opacity improvement
  • Coating applications for high-quality printing papers
  • pH buffering in paper production processes
  • Ink absorption enhancement in newsprint and magazines

Paint & Coatings Industry

  • Pigment extender for improved coverage and durability
  • Architectural paints for enhanced hiding power
  • Industrial coatings for corrosion protection
  • Primer formulations for improved adhesion

Construction & Building Materials

  • Cement production as raw material for clinker manufacturing
  • Concrete applications for improved workability and strength
  • Sealants and adhesives for enhanced properties
  • Decorative plasters and architectural finishes

Benefits of Calcium Carbonate

High Calcium Content

Contains 40% elemental calcium (theoretical), providing concentrated nutrition for plants and animals with minimal application volume.

pH Buffering Capacity

Excellent alkalizing properties for soil pH adjustment and acid neutralization in various industrial processes.

Chemical Inertness

Stable compound that doesn’t react with most chemicals, ensuring consistent performance in diverse applications.

Cost-Effective Solution

Abundant natural mineral offering excellent value for money across agricultural and industrial applications.

Multiple Particle Sizes

Available in various mesh sizes from coarse to ultrafine to meet specific application requirements.

Food Safe Options

Food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade specifications available for human consumption applications.

Agricultural Benefits & Plant Nutrition

Calcium Functions in Plants

  • Cell wall formation providing structural integrity to plant tissues
  • Enzyme activation supporting metabolic processes
  • Nutrient transport facilitating movement of other nutrients
  • Root development promoting healthy root system growth

Soil Improvement Benefits

  • pH adjustment converting acidic soils to optimal growing conditions
  • Aluminum toxicity reduction in acid soils
  • Soil structure improvement through flocculation
  • Microbial activity enhancement for nutrient cycling

Crop Quality Enhancement

  • Fruit quality improvement in apples, tomatoes, and stone fruits
  • Storage life extension through stronger cell walls
  • Disease resistance enhancement through improved plant structure
  • Nutrient uptake optimization for other essential elements

Deficiency Prevention

  • Blossom end rot prevention in tomatoes and peppers
  • Bitter pit reduction in apples
  • Tip burn prevention in lettuce and leafy vegetables
  • Calcium deficiency correction in high-value crops

Animal Nutrition Applications

Poultry Benefits

  • Eggshell quality improvement in laying hens
  • Bone development in broilers and young birds
  • Calcium-phosphorus balance optimization
  • Metabolic bone disease prevention

Livestock Applications

  • Bone formation and maintenance in growing animals
  • Milk production support in dairy cattle
  • Reproductive performance enhancement
  • Grass tetany prevention in grazing animals

Aquaculture Uses

  • Shell development in crustaceans
  • Bone formation in fish species
  • Water hardness adjustment in ponds
  • pH stabilization in aquaculture systems

Industrial Process Applications

Plastic Manufacturing

  • Cost reduction through effective filler loading
  • Impact strength improvement in polymer compounds
  • Processing aid for improved flow properties
  • Heat stability enhancement in high-temperature applications

Paper Production

  • Brightness enhancement for high-quality papers
  • Opacity improvement for better print quality
  • Smoothness optimization for coated papers
  • Ink holdout improvement for sharp printing

Paint Formulation

  • Hiding power enhancement for reduced titanium dioxide usage
  • Durability improvement through proper particle size distribution
  • Cost optimization while maintaining quality standards
  • Rheology modification for better application properties

Application Guidelines

Agricultural Applications

  • Soil testing to determine pH and calcium requirements
  • Liming recommendations based on buffer pH measurements
  • Application timing for optimal crop response
  • Incorporation methods for effective soil reaction

Agricultural Application Rates

  • Soil pH adjustment: 1-5 tonnes/ha depending on soil buffer capacity
  • Calcium nutrition: 200-500 kg/ha for high-value crops
  • Pasture improvement: 1-3 tonnes/ha for acidic grasslands
  • Greenhouse applications: 50-200 kg/ha for protected cultivation

Animal Feed Inclusion Rates

  • Poultry: 0.5-1.5% of complete feed
  • Dairy cattle: 0.3-0.8% of dry matter intake
  • Swine: 0.5-1.0% of complete feed
  • Aquaculture: 1-3% depending on water hardness

Industrial Loading Levels

  • Plastics: 10-60% depending on application and polymer type
  • Paper: 15-35% for coated papers, 5-20% for uncoated
  • Paint: 10-40% depending on quality requirements
  • Rubber: 5-50% for various rubber compounds

Quality Control & Testing

Physical Properties Testing

  • Particle size distribution by laser diffraction
  • Surface area measurement by BET method
  • Bulk density for handling calculations
  • Oil absorption for paint and plastic applications

Chemical Analysis

  • Calcium carbonate content by acid neutralization
  • Heavy metals screening by ICP-AES
  • Moisture content by loss on drying
  • pH measurement in aqueous suspension

Microbiological Testing

  • Total viable count for food-grade applications
  • Pathogen screening including Salmonella and E. coli
  • Yeast and mold enumeration for shelf-life determination
  • Sterility testing for pharmaceutical applications

Storage & Handling

Storage Requirements

  • Store in dry, well-ventilated warehouses
  • Protect from moisture to prevent caking
  • Maintain consistent temperature conditions
  • Use appropriate packaging materials for grade requirements

Handling Precautions

  • Wear appropriate dust masks during handling
  • Ensure adequate ventilation to minimize dust exposure
  • Use proper lifting techniques for heavy bags
  • Prevent contamination from incompatible materials

Transportation

  • Use covered vehicles to protect from moisture
  • Secure loads properly to prevent shifting
  • Comply with food safety regulations for food-grade material
  • Maintain documentation for quality traceability

Environmental Considerations

Sustainable Practices

  • Natural mineral resource with minimal processing requirements
  • Carbon footprint reduction through local sourcing
  • Soil health improvement through pH optimization
  • Sustainable agriculture support through organic approval

Environmental Benefits

  • CO₂ absorption during natural limestone formation
  • Soil erosion reduction through improved soil structure
  • Water quality improvement through pH buffering
  • Ecosystem restoration in acid-damaged soils

Packaging & Delivery Options

Standard Packaging

  • 25 kg Polypropylene Bags – Suitable for small-scale applications
  • 50 kg Woven Bags – Standard for medium-scale operations
  • 1000 kg Big Bags – Cost-effective for large industrial users

Specialized Packaging

  • Food-grade packaging meeting FDA and EU regulations
  • Pharmaceutical packaging with USP/BP compliance
  • Moisture-resistant packaging for extended storage periods
  • Custom packaging for specific customer requirements

Global Distribution Network

  • Regional warehouses for reduced delivery times
  • Bulk handling facilities for large-volume customers
  • Quality-controlled logistics maintaining product integrity
  • Technical support throughout the supply chain

Technical Support Services

Agricultural Support

  • Soil analysis interpretation and lime recommendations
  • Crop nutrition planning and calcium management
  • Application equipment selection and calibration
  • Field troubleshooting for application issues

Industrial Applications Support

  • Product selection for specific applications
  • Processing optimization for improved performance
  • Quality specifications development for custom requirements
  • Technical troubleshooting for manufacturing processes

Regulatory Compliance

Food Grade Standards

  • FDA GRAS status for food applications
  • EU food additive approval (E170)
  • Codex Alimentarius compliance for international trade
  • Organic certification available for agricultural applications

Pharmaceutical Standards

  • USP/BP specifications for pharmaceutical applications
  • GMP compliance in manufacturing facilities
  • Heavy metals limits meeting pharmacopoeia requirements
  • Microbiological specifications for sterile applications

Why Choose Our Calcium Carbonate?

Superior Quality

Sourced from high-purity limestone deposits and processed using advanced techniques to meet stringent quality standards.

Consistent Performance

Rigorous quality control ensures batch-to-batch consistency and reliable performance across all applications.

Competitive Pricing

Efficient mining and processing operations enable competitive pricing while maintaining premium quality.

Technical Expertise

Experienced technical team provides comprehensive support for application optimization and problem-solving.

Reliable Supply

Strategic quarry locations and processing facilities ensure consistent availability throughout the year.

Custom Solutions

Ability to provide custom particle sizes, surface treatments, and packaging to meet specific requirements.