Press releases

Rio Tinto Minerals offers a range of solutions for the Ceramics Industry at Ceramitec’06 Hall A6, Stand 228

Ceramitec regulars will be used to Luzenac’s offerings of almost thirty talc products for technical ceramics, mullite-cordierite refractory applications, white, super white and extra white floor tiles and glazes, engobes and frits.

Ceramitec ’06 offers something extra, the synergy of Luzenac, the world’s foremost talc producer, Borax, the world leader in borates supply and science and Dampier Salt, the world leader in the export of solar salt to form RIO TINTO MINERALS.

Born on 1st February 2006, Rio Tinto Minerals offers the industry a one-stop shop for all borate, talc and salt requirements.

Rio Tinto Minerals offers a wide range of microcrystalline, compact talcs with excellent pressing behaviour for electroceramics, steatites and cordierites (LUZENAC EC LUMP, LUZENAC EC40, LUZENAC EC125, YELLOWSTONE 140, LUZENAC R2C60).

Combined with kaolinitic clays, RTM’s chlorite-containing talc grades and pure chlorites facilitate cordierite synthesis for kiln furniture production (LUZENAC 2C, LUZENAC HK70 and SIERRALITE® 2000).

In porcelain tiles, FLUXITE®, LUZENAC SSB60 and LUZENAC CV3 talc grades are used as flux agents to help accelerate firing cycles and save energy costs.

Rio Tinto Minerals will also be featuring its borate products. NEOBOR®, DEHYBOR® and OPTIBOR® are essential components of most ceramic and all enamel frits, contributing to the reduction of the melting temperature as well as improving glaze and enamel appearance, chemical and mechanical durability, and glaze/body fit by better control of the coefficient of thermal expansion.

In many tiles produced by pressing, OPTIBOR® is an inorganic binder that improves dry mechanical resistance and productivity. It can also facilitate the production of thinner tiles, providing cost savings and reducing CO2 emissions.

In brick production (heavy clay), BRIOBOR® facilitates extrusion and improves kiln productivity, saving energy. It may also allow the elimination of barium carbonate and the use of lower quality raw materials.

Press Contact:
Laura Jones, Rio Tinto Minerals
Tel: +33.5.61.50.20.20 – Fax: +33.5.61.50.20.55.
Laura.jones@luzenac.com