German:
Füllstoffe
Spanish:
cargas, rellenos
French:
charges
Italian:
cariche, riempitori
Russian:
Наполнители
Arabic:
الحشو
Chinese:
填料
Japanese:
フィラー
General overview of fillers
Fillers are some of the most important raw materials and are used in a multitude of every-day items. Earlier, fillers were the predominant material used to make end products less expensive. They also have the capability to improve desired product characteristics. For example, they can improve abrasion resistance or conductibility in plastics.
In 2006, the global fillers market attained a total volume of approximately 52 million tons and a total goods value of roughly 25 billion €. Aside from paper products, the quantitatively most important markets for fillers are primarily plastics, rubber products, coatings, and adhesives.
The largest market volume is accounted for by calcium carbonate PCC (precipitated calcium carbonate) and GCC (ground calcium carbonate), as well as kaolin, all of which especially play an important role in paper production. Carbon black is used as a filler for rubber production and is used, for example, to reinforce car tires. Silica, which is also used to manufacture elastomers, particularly pyrogenic silicic acid, has a small but growing market share. Additional fillers include dolomite, blanc fixe, nepheline, quartz sand, and graphite, as well as glass and natural fibers.
Detailed information on fillers - their characteristics, application areas, market data in the different world regions, and environmental aspects - is offered in Market Study - Fillers, from Ceresana Research.
Three important fillers:
Last Revision: 13 Feb 09
