Perlite and Sustainability

We often take the time to look at the ways perlite can be used. Besides its useful properties, there are many reasons it should be used. Today, we’re taking a look at perlite and sustainability and how it impacts the environment, economy, and society.

What Is Perlite?

Perlite is an amorphous mineral consisting of fused sodium potassium aluminum silicate. In its natural state, it’s a dense, glassy rock formed by volcanic rock. When crushed and organic acids at both low and high and treated under proper conditions, perlite pops like popcorn, expanding up to 20 times its original volume. It is revered for its light weight, insulative properties, water-retention value, and more. Perlite has a variety of uses across many industries including agricultural, industrial, construction, cryogenics, and even pet care.

Perlite and Sustainability

Environmental

• Storm runoff filtration. Perlite acts as a natural filter to clean stormwater runoff, helping to prevent the contamination of waterways which could, in turn, hurt natural flora and fauna.
• Horticultural. Perlite helps preserve the world’s topsoil by acting as a substitute for native mineral soil.
• Mining has little impact. Only three square-miles of perlite are actively mined at any time, which is a small fraction of the available perlite in the world. It is standard for studies to be conducted before mining to ensure the minimization of disturbance to local biology.
• Decreases energy use. Because of its unique closed-cell structure, perlite can drastically reduce heat transmission through masonry walls. Thermal performance tests show significant energy savings when perlite is used to fill cavities in concrete masonry structures.
• No by-products during processing. All parts of mined perlite can be used, so none of it goes to waste.

Economic

• Cost-efficient to ship. Perlite is lightweight, making it more cost-efficient to ship than competitor products.