White clay

Other names: White kaolin

White clay, also known as white kaolin, is a specific type of clay that is mined mainly in Asia but is also found in other parts of the world. It gets its name from the Chinese town of Kao-Ling, where it began to be mined in the 7th century. This type of clay is characterised by its fine texture and high silica content, which makes it very widely used in many industrial and cosmetic sectors.

White clay is most commonly used in the production of ceramics, especially porcelain, where it is mixed with quartz and fieldspar. Due to its high temperature resistance and chemical stability, white clay is also popular in industry for the production of insulation materials and refractory bricks. It is popular in cosmetics for its cleansing and detoxifying properties. It is often included in face masks, powders and other cosmetic preparations. As a component of toothpastes, it acts as a whitening and cleansing agent. White clay is also used in the food industry as an ingredient in foods such as yoghurt, candy and chewing gum.