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What Is Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and How Is It Made?

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Precipitated calcium carbonate is a fine, white powder. It is made by a special chemical process. Factories make it in special places. This helps them control its size, shape, and purity. Many industries use precipitated calcium carbonate. Paper, plastics, and construction need it for its steady quality. The world market for this material was $5.3 billion in 2024. The paper industry used almost 40% of it. Companies like Changshu Hongyu sell other products too. They offer calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide. These help meet the needs of growing industries.


Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is a very pure, fine white powder. It is made by a chemical process that controls its size, shape, and quality. PCC is better than ground calcium carbonate. It has smaller and even particles. It also has fewer unwanted materials. This makes it great for paper, plastics, and paints. Factories use limestone and sometimes industrial waste to make PCC. This helps lower pollution and waste. PCC makes products better. It makes paper brighter and stronger. It makes plastics tougher. It makes paints whiter and more stable. Companies like Changshu Hongyu use modern machines and strict tests. They make sure PCC is high quality for many industries.


Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Overview

Definition

Precipitated calcium carbonate is a man-made type of calcium carbonate. Its chemical formula is CaCO₃. Factories make it using a chemical process. They start with calcium oxide. Water is added to the calcium oxide. This makes calcium hydroxide. Next, carbon dioxide is bubbled into the calcium hydroxide. This step creates precipitated calcium carbonate as a fine, white powder. The process lets workers control the size, shape, and purity. This is different from ground calcium carbonate. Ground calcium carbonate comes from grinding limestone. Its chemical structure does not change.

Note: The chemical reactions to make precipitated calcium carbonate are:

CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂
Ca(OH)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + H₂O

This way, the product is very pure and always the same quality.


Key Features

Precipitated calcium carbonate has special physical and chemical traits. These traits make it useful for many industries. Paper, plastics, and construction all use it.

  • The way it is made controls the particle size and shape.

  • The particles are smaller and more even than ground calcium carbonate.

  • It is whiter and has fewer impurities.

  • It feels smoother and spreads better, which helps in special uses.

  • Every batch is checked for purity, size, and other important things.

Here is a table that shows how precipitated calcium carbonate and ground calcium carbonate are different:

Aspect

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC)

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)

Production Method

Chemical synthesis from calcium oxide

Mechanical grinding of limestone

Particle Size & Shape

Small, uniform, regular crystals

Larger, irregular shapes

Purity

High, with low impurities

Lower, more impurities

Texture

Smooth, fine powder

Coarser, less smooth

Applications

Paper, plastics, sealants, pharmaceuticals

Construction, basic fillers

These features show why industries pick precipitated calcium carbonate for products that must work well and last. Companies like Changshu Hongyu use new technology and strict checks to make PCC and other products like calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide. Their skill helps customers get materials that meet top standards for today’s factories.


Production Process

Production Process

Raw Materials

Making precipitated calcium carbonate starts with good raw materials. Factories often use limestone. Limestone is a rock that has a lot of calcium carbonate. Some places use other minerals like wollastonite, but these cost more and are not used as much. Lately, some factories try using waste from other industries. They use things like steel slag, cement dust, and old concrete. These new sources help cut down on waste and lower pollution.

  • Main raw materials for PCC production:

    • Limestone (main source, heated in a kiln)

    • Calcium silicate minerals (like wollastonite or basalt)

    • Industrial by-products (steel slag, bottom ash, oil shale ash, cement kiln dust)

Changshu Hongyu gets limestone from its own mines. This helps them always have pure limestone. Pure limestone is needed to make high-quality products like calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide.

Tip: Using different raw materials can help the planet. It lets companies make less waste and be more eco-friendly.


Main Steps

Making precipitated calcium carbonate takes a few main steps. Each step must be done carefully to get the right product.

  1. Calcination: Workers heat limestone in a kiln. This makes calcium oxide and gives off carbon dioxide.

    CaCO₃ (limestone) → CaO (quicklime) + CO₂ (gas)
  2. Slaking: The calcium oxide is mixed with water. This makes calcium hydroxide.

    CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂
  3. Carbonation: Carbon dioxide is bubbled into the calcium hydroxide. This makes small particles of precipitated calcium carbonate.

    Ca(OH)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ (PCC) + H₂O
  4. Separation and Drying: The powder is separated from the liquid. Then it is washed and dried to get a clean, white powder.

Some factories use steel slag or other waste as a calcium source. This can save energy and cut down on pollution. Modern factories, like Changshu Hongyu, use machines to control heat, time, and how much of each thing is used. This helps make sure the product is always good.


Quality Control

Quality control is very important when making precipitated calcium carbonate. Factories use special tools and tests to check purity, size, and if the product is always the same.

  • Key quality control measures:

    • Machines help control the size and shape of the powder

    • Workers watch the chemical reactions to keep the product pure

    • Tests are done with XRF, XRD, and SEM tools

    • Laser tools check the size of the powder

    • Some PCC is coated to work better in certain uses

Aspect

Details

Typical Purity Levels

96% to 98% CaCO₃

Main Impurity

Gypsum (CaSO₄)

Measurement Methods

XRF, XRD, SEM, PSA, AAS

Application Note

High purity suitable for paper, paints, coatings, environmental and agricultural uses

Changshu Hongyu has a team of chemists and engineers who check every step. They follow strict rules and meet standards from groups like the U.S. FDA and the European Food Safety Authority. The company also tries new ideas, like nano-precipitated calcium carbonate and green ways to make products. This helps them serve industries like paper, plastics, and construction.

Note: Because it is always pure and high quality, precipitated calcium carbonate is chosen for tough jobs.


Benefits of PCC

Purity and Control

Precipitated calcium carbonate is very pure. Factories can make it almost 100% pure. This means there are not many other things like silica or iron oxide in it. The powder is very bright and always the same quality. Factories can also change the size and shape of the powder. This makes PCC good for jobs that need special materials.

The table below shows how precipitated calcium carbonate and ground calcium carbonate are different:

Property

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC)

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)

Purity

99.9%

Lower purity with impurities like silica, iron oxide

Brightness

95-98%

85-93%

Particle Size

Controlled, uniform (0.02–2 microns)

Irregular, broad range (0.5–20 microns)

Particle Shape

Uniform crystal structures

Irregular shapes

Functional Benefits

Superior brightness, low abrasiveness, chemical stability, improved opacity, enhanced reactivity and dispersion in polymers and pharmaceuticals

Less consistent performance due to impurities and irregular particles

Because PCC is so pure and made carefully, it works better in things like paper, plastics, paints, and food. Other types like nano calcium carbonate and heavy calcium carbonate are also checked for quality. But PCC is the most steady and reliable.


Industrial Advantages

Precipitated calcium carbonate helps many factories. Companies like Changshu Hongyu use new machines to make PCC for different uses.

  • PCC is made by a chemical process, so it has fewer extra things in it.

  • Factories can make PCC with just the right size and shape, which helps products work better.

  • PCC makes plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene stronger and stiffer.

  • PCC does not change the color of plastics, so products look how they should.

  • PCC costs less and lets factories use more of it, which saves money.

  • PCC is used as a filler in building, farming, and medicine.

Note: Changshu Hongyu also sells calcium oxide and other calcium products. They give many choices to factories.

These good points make PCC a top pick over other fillers. Its steady quality helps companies make better things and do well in business.


PCC vs. Ground Calcium Carbonate

Production Differences

PCC and GCC are made in different ways. Factories make PCC by mixing calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide. This happens in a place where workers can control everything. The chemical process lets them control how pure PCC is and how big the particles are. GCC is made by crushing rocks like limestone or marble. This is a mechanical process and does not give as much control. The table below shows how they are different:

Aspect

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC)

Source

Limestone, marble, or chalk

Synthetic, from lime and CO₂

Production Process

Grinding and classification

Chemical precipitation

Particle Control

Irregular, less controlled

Precise, highly controlled

Purity

Contains natural impurities

High purity, few impurities

Particle Shape

Angular, irregular

Uniform, regular shapes

Typical Particle Size

5–10 microns

1–3 microns

Changshu Hongyu uses new machines to make both PCC and GCC. This helps them make good products for many uses.


Properties Comparison

PCC and GCC look and act differently. PCC has small, even particles with regular shapes. GCC has bigger, uneven particles. PCC is cleaner because it is made in a controlled place. This makes PCC good for things that need to be very bright and pure, like light calcium carbonate.

Property

Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC)

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC)

Particle Shape

Irregular

Regular

Average Particle Size

5–10 micrometers

1–3 micrometers

Particle Size Distribution

Wide

Narrow

PCC is very pure and has fewer things like silica or lead. This makes it safe for food and medicine. Light calcium carbonate is a kind of PCC that is smooth and bright.


Application Differences

Factories pick PCC or GCC based on what they need. PCC is best when they want high purity, small size, and brightness. The paper industry uses PCC to make paper look better. Plastic makers use PCC because its size and shape help their products. Light calcium carbonate is used in paints, coatings, and plastics for its smooth feel and white color.


GCC is used more in building and as a cheap filler in plastics. It is also used in farming and for the environment. Changshu Hongyu sells both PCC and GCC. They also offer things like calcium oxide and nano calcium carbonate to help many industries.

Tip: PCC is best for special jobs, but GCC is good when cost matters.


Applications of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate

Applications of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate 

Paper and Printing

Precipitated calcium carbonate is very important in making paper. Companies add it to paper to make it brighter and stronger. It helps paper cost less and last longer. When used as a coating, it helps ink stick better. This makes pictures and words look sharper. Special papers, like stamp and cigarette paper, use a lot of PCC. This makes them soft and helps them burn the right way. PCC is very bright and has tiny particles. This is good for art and stamp papers. Papermakers like PCC because it works in many types of paper. It keeps paper strong and bright.

Benefits of PCC in Paper:

  • Makes paper whiter and brighter

  • Helps paper block light for double-sided printing

  • Gives paper a smooth surface for better ink

  • Lets factories use less fiber, which is better for the planet

Property Improved

Explanation

Brightness

Makes paper look whiter and nicer

Opacity

Stops print from showing through

Smoothness

Helps pictures and words look clear

Bulk

Lowers the cost of making paper

Plastics and Polymers

Factories put precipitated calcium carbonate in plastics to make them better. It makes plastic pipes and containers stronger and harder. PCC also helps plastic not melt as fast when it gets hot. When used in tiny amounts, it makes plastics work better without changing how they look. Using PCC helps companies make good products for less money.

CaCO3 Content (%)

Yield Strength (MPa)

Young's Modulus (Increase)

Impact Strength (Increase)

0

17.68

100%

100%

5

Lower

Higher

Higher

40

12.73

+69%

+35%

Paints and Coatings

Paint makers use precipitated calcium carbonate for many reasons. PCC makes paint cover better and look whiter. It lets them use less expensive pigments. PCC also makes paint thicker and helps it stay mixed. The small size of PCC helps paint go on smooth. PCC is safe and helps make paints that are better for the environment.

  1. Makes paint cover well and look bright

  2. Saves money by using less costly pigments

  3. Makes paint thicker and more stable

  4. Helps paint last longer and stand up to weather

  5. Helps make paints that are safer for the earth


Other Uses

Precipitated calcium carbonate is used in many other ways. Factories use it in glues and sealants. It is also used in chemical processes and to balance pH. Medicine makers use PCC in pills and vitamins. Builders use it in cement and concrete, especially new green cements. Changshu Hongyu sells PCC and other products to help many industries.

More people want calcium carbonate powder for building, glues, and sealants. This shows how useful this material is for many jobs.


Precipitated calcium carbonate is very pure and useful. Factories make PCC with a special chemical process. This process helps keep the particles the same size. It also makes sure the quality is always high. Many industries use PCC because it is bright, safe, and works well. The table below shows some main benefits:

Advantage

Explanation

High solubility

Helps the body take in calcium better and makes products work well

Nanometer particle size

Spreads out easily in plastics and medicine

Biocompatibility

Safe to use in food, medicine, and for the environment

Absence of heavy metals

Makes it safe for important uses

Changshu Hongyu sells calcium oxide and nano calcium carbonate too. These products help with many different needs. PCC is a good choice for paper, plastics, and building. Companies that want a steady, high-quality filler should think about using PCC.


FAQ

What is the main difference between precipitated calcium carbonate and ground calcium carbonate?

Precipitated calcium carbonate is made using a chemical process. Ground calcium carbonate comes from grinding limestone rocks. PCC has smaller and more even particles. This helps make products brighter and purer.


How does Changshu Hongyu ensure the quality of its calcium carbonate products?

Changshu Hongyu uses modern machines and careful tests. The team checks each batch for purity and size. They also check how white the powder is. Their quality rules follow world standards. Customers get products that are always the same.


Can precipitated calcium carbonate be used in food and medicine?

Yes, PCC can be used in food and medicine if it is very pure. It must not have heavy metals. Changshu Hongyu sells food-grade PCC that is safe. Many companies use it in pills, vitamins, and food making.


What are some other products related to calcium carbonate?

Changshu Hongyu makes calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, and nano calcium carbonate too. These are used in building, farming, and helping the environment. Each one is made for special jobs.


Why do industries choose PCC for plastics and paper?

Industries pick PCC for plastics and paper because it makes things brighter and stronger. PCC also makes surfaces smoother. It helps save money and makes products better. Its small, even size is good for high-quality materials.

As a leading supplier of calcifiers in China, we rely on a professional team to provide comprehensive support to our customers. We work closely with our partners to help our customers achieve more.

Contact Us

Phone: +86-15250326132 
E-Mail: zhou@cshyghw.com
WhatsApp: +8613862341927
Skype: lousong1030 
Add: Kangbo village, Guli Town, Changshu City, Jiangsu Province.

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