Industry and science often remain invisible behind the everyday objects we use, many of which are made from minerals that rarely receive attention. However, they play a crucial role in modern technology and industry.
Minerals such as feldspar, kaolin, bentonite and zeolites are important examples of aluminosilicate materials widely used across different industries. Feldspar is a key raw material in glass production and is also used as an additive in aluminosilicate glass for smartphone screens, helping improve their strength and durability. Kaolin is essential in the production of ceramics and porcelain, where it mainly provides the whiteness, strength and heat resistance. Due to its strong adsorption and swelling properties, bentonite plays an important role in fuel processing to remove impurities and stabilize the product. Meanwhile, zeolites are valued for their porous structure, which allows them to capture and remove unwanted substances during water filtration.
The world’s largest aluminosilicates deposits are located in the United States, China, Russia, Guinea, Brazil, India and Australia. Significant reserves of various types of aluminosilicates can also be found across many European countries. However, their extraction currently takes place on a relatively small scale, leaving Europe dependant on import from other continents. This is a striking paradox, taking into account that Europe drives nearly one quarter of total global demand for aluminosilicates. Therefore, the activation and strengthening of the continent’s mining activities should be considered as priority and a matter of concern for key policymakers in this sector, while ensuring a clear Social Licence to Operate. Expansion of use of local resources must go hand in hand with strong environmental standards, while also respecting and engaging local communities, which is the aim of the RM SLO PLUS HUB project.