#20microns

20 Microns at Coatings For Africa 2026: Driving Innovation in the Coatings Industry

20 Microns Limited is proud to announce its participation in Coatings For Africa 2026, one of the leading events for the paints and coatings industry in Africa. The exhibition will be held from 24–26 June 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. Visitors can meet the 20 Microns team at Booth A05 to explore advanced mineral solutions and specialty additives designed for modern coating applications.

As a globally trusted manufacturer of industrial minerals and performance solutions, 20 Microns continues to support the coatings industry with innovative products that improve durability, finish quality, processing efficiency, and sustainability.

What Visitors Can Expect at Booth A05

At the exhibition, industry professionals, distributors, manufacturers, and business partners will get the opportunity to discover:

Advanced mineral solutions for paints and coatings

Innovative additives and functional fillers

Sustainable and high-performance product offerings

Customized solutions for industrial applications

Opportunities for collaboration and business growth

The company will showcase its expertise in specialty minerals and additives that are widely used in decorative paints, industrial coatings, construction chemicals, and allied sectors.

Supporting the Future of the Coatings Industry

With decades of experience in industrial minerals and specialty chemicals, 20 Microns focuses on delivering products that help manufacturers improve:

Product performance

Surface finish and opacity

Durability and strength

Cost efficiency in formulations

Sustainable manufacturing practices

The participation in Coatings For Africa 2026 reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and customer-focused solutions for the global coatings market.

Event Details

Event: Coatings For Africa 2026

Date: 24–26 June 2026

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Booth Number: A05

Ball clay is a fine-grained, highly plastic sedimentary clay widely used in ceramics and other industrial applications. Known for its excellent binding properties, high green strength, and superior workability, ball clay plays a critical role in improving shaping performance and finished product quality. At 20 Microns, ball clay is processed with advanced mineral technology and strict quality control systems to ensure consistent particle size, purity, and reliable industrial performance.

What Makes Ball Clay Important?

Ball clay is primarily valued for its plasticity and binding strength. In ceramic formulations, it acts as a supporting clay that enhances workability and improves the strength of unfired products. When blended with other minerals such as feldspar and kaolin, ball clay helps achieve optimal forming characteristics and smooth surface finish.

Industries often face challenges such as cracking during drying, poor molding behavior, or inconsistent firing results. High-quality ball clay addresses these issues by delivering:

• Improved plasticity for easy shaping • High green strength to reduce breakage • Better surface finish and smoothness • Controlled shrinkage during drying and firing • Enhanced suspension properties in ceramic slips

Key Applications of Ball Clay

Ceramic Industry Ball clay is extensively used in: • Sanitaryware • Tableware • Wall and floor tiles • Electrical porcelain

It enhances moldability and improves the strength of ceramic bodies before firing. Its fine particle size contributes to better compaction and surface smoothness.

Refractory and Construction Applications In certain refractory blends, ball clay improves plasticity and supports shaping processes. It also contributes to improved bonding characteristics in specific construction formulations.

Industrial Fillers and Specialty Applications Ball clay is used as a functional additive in selected industrial processes where plasticity, binding strength, and particle uniformity are essential.

Common Manufacturing Challenges and Solutions

Problem: Cracks during dryingSolution: Ball clay improves green strength and uniform shrinkage, minimizing stress development.

Problem: Poor casting performanceSolution: Its fine particle size improves suspension stability and casting behavior.

Problem: Surface defects in finished products Solution: High-quality ball clay ensures smoother surfaces and better finishing results.

Why Choose 20 Microns Ball Clay?

20 Microns focuses on delivering mineral solutions that meet strict industrial requirements. The company’s ball clay grades are developed through controlled mining, beneficiation, and processing to ensure:

• Consistent chemical composition • Controlled particle size distribution • High plasticity and workability • Reliable performance across ceramic applications • Technical support for formulation optimization

With decades of expertise in mineral processing, 20 Microns follows robust quality management systems aligned with industry standards. Each batch is tested to maintain consistency and meet customer-specific requirements.

Ball clay remains a vital raw material in ceramic and industrial manufacturing due to its plasticity, strength, and performance-enhancing properties. Selecting the right grade directly impacts shaping efficiency, product durability, and final surface quality. By combining advanced processing technology with technical expertise, 20 Microns provides dependable ball clay solutions tailored to modern industrial needs.

For manufacturers seeking consistent performance and reliable supply, ball clay from 20 Microns offers both quality assurance and application-driven value.  

Opacifier is a key functional additive used to enhance opacity, brightness, and surface finish in paints, coatings, plastics, ceramics, and construction materials. 20 Microns is a trusted manufacturer and supplier of high-performance white pigment opacifier in India, offering consistent particle distribution, excellent dispersion, and superior light scattering properties. Designed to improve coverage efficiency and reduce formulation costs, our opacifier solutions deliver reliable results across demanding industrial applications. With advanced processing technology and strict quality standards, 20 Microns ensures performance-driven mineral solutions for diverse industries. Explore premium opacifier solutions from 20 Microns and connect with our experts to optimize your formulations today.

China Clay | Kaolin for Agrochemicals

Micron China GL White Powder is a refined hydrous clay suitable for wettable formulations, seed coating, and crop protection applications.

Key Benefits: • Helps shield plants from UV radiation • Helps lower leaf temperature • Supports plant health • Helps reduce pathogen infection

Applications: Wettable Formulation | Seed Coating | Crop Protection

Innovation in rheology starts with the right formulation.

Introducing the HYDROXYLGEL™ Series from 20 Microns Limited — advanced inorganic rheology solutions designed to enhance performance, stability, and cost efficiency across paints and cementitious systems.

🔹 HYDROXYLGEL™ A1 Optimized for water-based paints with excellent rheology control, stability, and texture performance.

🔹 HYDROXYLGEL™ A4W Engineered for cementitious wall putty systems with superior anti-sag, water retention, and anti-chalking properties.

✅ Better Rheology & Stability ✅ Strong Anti-Sag & Anti-Settling Performance ✅ Improved Cost–Performance Balance ✅ Up to 50% Replacement Efficiency

Whether it’s decorative paints, texture coatings, or wall putty systems — the HYDROXYLGEL™ Series helps formulators achieve smarter and more efficient results.

📩 Connect with us for technical discussions, product details, and sampling support.

How to Select the Right Filler for Paint Manufacturing

Choosing the right filler is a key step in paint formulation, influencing everything from opacity to durability. At 20 Microns, our engineered mineral fillers are designed to meet the performance expectations of modern decorative, industrial, and high-performance coatings. Selecting the ideal filler depends on understanding the application and technical requirements of the paint.

Why Fillers Matter in Paints

Fillers do much more than reduce formulation costs—they enhance critical properties such as whiteness, coverage, rheology, scrub resistance, and film strength. 20 Microns offers a diverse portfolio, including Calcium Carbonate, Talc, Kaolin, Silica, Barytes, Mica, and Wollastonite, each engineered for specific performance benefits.

1. Determine the Paint Type

The first step is identifying the paint category:

• Decorative & Architectural Paints

These paints require brightness, smoothness, and high opacity. 20 Microns’ Calcium Carbonate, Talc, and Kaolin grades help improve coverage, surface finish, and whiteness while enhancing overall consistency.

• Industrial & Protective Coatings

These coatings demand mechanical strength and chemical resistance. Our Barytes, Micronized Silica, and Wollastonite grades offer reinforcement, abrasion resistance, and long-term durability.

• Automotive & OEM Coatings

High gloss and controlled viscosity are essential. Our specialized Kaolin and PCC grades support smooth film formation and improved rheological balance.

2. Particle Size & Brightness

Particle size directly affects paint texture and hiding power. 20 Microns provides fillers with controlled particle size distribution to ensure consistency. For lighter shades, high-brightness minerals such as fine calcium carbonate and kaolin help reduce TiO₂ usage while improving opacity.

3. Oil Absorption & Viscosity Control

Low oil absorption fillers maintain stable viscosity and reduce binder demand. 20 Microns’ Talc and GCC grades are ideal for enhancing flow, stability, and ease of application.

4. Mechanical & Chemical Performance

Coatings exposed to harsh conditions require fillers with reinforcement capability.

Silica enhances hardness

Wollastonite improves strength

Mica provides crack resistance

Barytes boosts chemical stability

Conclusion

Ramming mass is a type of unshaped refractory material primarily used to line the inner surfaces of high-temperature processing units such as induction furnaces, ladles, and other metal melting and holding equipment. Typically composed of crushed quartz (silica), magnesite, alumina, or other refractory minerals, it is distinguished by its method of application—ramming into place to form a compact, jointless lining. This results in excellent physical uniformity and minimizes porous gaps, enhancing furnace durability and thermal efficiency.

The importance of ramming mass lies in its ability to withstand extreme thermal and chemical conditions encountered during metal production processes. Its high heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength make it vital in steelmaking, foundry operations, non-ferrous metal processing, and other high-temperature industries. By extending furnace lining life and improving thermal insulation, ramming mass contributes significantly to operational efficiency, cost savings, and product quality.

Due to its adaptability, ramming mass comes in various types—acidic, basic, and neutral—tailored for specific metal types and furnace conditions. This versatility ensures optimal performance in melting steel, cast irons, aluminum, copper, and other alloys.

Ball clay is a fundamental raw material in India’s ceramics and sanitaryware industries due to its superior plasticity, fine particle size, and unique ability to enhance the workability and strength of ceramic products. Below is an in-depth article on the leading manufacturers, suppliers, and critical uses of ball clay in India.

What is Ball Clay?

Ball clay is a highly plastic, fine-grained clay that becomes very workable and moldable when mixed with water. Its principal traits—remarkable plasticity, high green strength, and impeccable binding qualities—make it essential in producing ceramics like porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, and sanitary ware. The fine particle size of ball clay helps prevent water permeability, ensuring strength and durability in the fired product. These clays are mixed with other materials to give the final product extra cohesion, better shape, and a desirable surface finish.

Leading Ball Clay Manufacturers and Suppliers in India

India hosts some of the world’s richest ball clay deposits, with Gujarat and Rajasthan being major mining locations. Top manufacturers and suppliers in India include:

20 Microns: A trusted name, providing high-quality ball clay for diverse ceramic applications. Their product is recognized for its fine texture, reliable plasticity, and consistent strength, making it suitable for multiple applications such as casting slips, body binding, and enhancing the performance of ceramic tiles and sanitaryware.

Zillion Sawa Minerals (ZSM): Supplies certified ball clay from Rajasthan with guaranteed uniformity and performance. ZSM ball clay is known for use in high-end ceramics, tableware, glazes, and refractory applications.

GMDC (Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation): Operates mines in Rajpardi, Bharuch, supplying high-grade ball clay to regional and national industries.

Other major suppliers include The Sharad Group, Hind Exports, and Mactus Mineral, each offering tried-and-tested ball clay for the ceramics industry.

Key Applications of Ball Clay in Ceramics

Ball clay is prized especially in the ceramics industry for:

Whiteware Production: Used for porcelain, sanitary ware, wall and floor tiles, and tableware, thanks to its plasticity and ability to impart a smooth, white finish after firing.

Casting Slips and Pressing Bodies: Adds fluidity for casting and enhances the binding ability of pressed ceramics.

Sanitaryware and Complex Molding: Its plastic nature allows for intricate shaping in products like sinks, toilets, and decorative articles.

Glaze and Engobes: Used in surface coatings to improve finish, color, and glaze adhesion.

Construction Materials: Sometimes used in refractory bricks, cement, and mortar to improve workability and durability.

Why Indian Ball Clay Is in Demand

Indian ball clay is highly sought after for:

Consistency in plasticity and workability, which is essential for mechanized ceramics production.

Reliable supply and large reserves, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Affordable pricing from multiple suppliers across the country.

Versatility for use in both traditional hand-molding and high-tech, automated ceramics and construction applications.

Conclusion

Indian manufacturers and suppliers like 20 Microns, GMDC, ZSM, and The Sharad Group are recognized leaders in delivering quality ball clay for the ceramics sector. Their products make possible the production of durable, aesthetically pleasing ceramics, tiles, sanitaryware, and construction materials. The potent combination of natural reserves and advanced mining and processing makes India a central hub for superior plastic ball clay globally.