In my
55696418 post I mentioned high-purity alumina, Which I mentioned because it is topical. This post touches on the more traditional markets for Kaolin, and hence is probably more relevant to WAK.
At
https://www.resourcesandgeoscience.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/237856/Kaolin.pdfone can read:
- The physical properties of kaolin vary considerably depending on the origin of individual deposits. Impurities that can affect properties — such as whiteness; abrasiveness; particle size, shape and distribution; viscosity and rheology — are important in determining the suitability of kaolin for specific applications.
- The main exporters of refined (filler-grade) kaolin for high-quality markets, including paper, plastics and paints, are the USA, Great Britain, Brazil, and Germany. Major suppliers of low-to medium-quality kaolin used in applications such as refractories and ceramics include Colombia, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
From WAK's customer base, one can deduce that it has a filler-grade product, and it would, consequently, compete with suppliers from USA, Great Britain, Brazil, and Germany. Looking to Asia as an export marker for filler-grade kaolin makes sense.
The much hyped extraction of ultra HPA from kaolin is a relatively new development, but I am unsure if WAK's kaolin suits that markert – it probably does, otherwise Management would not have suggested it as a possible future option. This is where nearology kicks in, if the Battery Alley, Kwinana ambition has legs. In this market, HPA as a coating for battery separators is the main interest. One of the traditional uses of filler-grade kaolin is in high-quality electric wire and cable insulation. At
https://kaolin.basf.com/applications/market/selected/wireandcable one can read:
- The quality and durability of cable insulation directly affects the performance and dependability of cable products. Using calcined and surface treated kaolin, BASF has helped improve electrical and physical performance — even at high stress with elevated moisture and temperature levels.
- Surface treated kaolins impart added functionality placing our Translink grades as premium-performance reinforcing extenders.
It would not be difficult to contact the major electric wire and cable companies in Japan, if one had the right grade of kaolin for that market. Two of the significant manufactureres are Hitach and Hirakawa Hewtech.
