In this webinar experts from Omya and Burgess cover
In most cases, a direct one-to-one replacement is difficult. Alternative minerals often have different particle shapes, surface areas, and oil absorption characteristics, so adjustments to binder levels, dispersants, or rheology modifiers may be required.
Yes. Talc can be replaced in a range of decorative coating formulations using carefully selected mineral solutions. Burgess THERMO-GLACE+, a delaminated hydrous kaolin with a platy morphology similar to talc, can be combined with Omya ground calcium carbonate (GCC) Omyacarb grades to achieve the required balance of coating properties.
In most cases, a direct one-to-one replacement is difficult. Alternative minerals often have different particle shapes, surface areas, and oil absorption characteristics, so adjustments to binder levels, dispersants, or rheology modifiers may be required.
Some alternatives, especially engineered mineral fillers, can provide comparable or even improved scrub resistance. However, performance should always be validated through application-specific testing because results vary by formulation.
Yes. The appropriate solution depends on the particle size of the talc being replaced and the required finish. For coarser talc grades, a coarser GCC or Omyamatt 100 can support flattening. For sheen and semi-gloss paints, Burgess THERMO-GLACE+ can be combined with Omyacoat 420 to replace fine talc while limiting the impact on gloss
Not necessarily. Some alternatives may increase raw material costs, while others may lower costs. The overall economics should be evaluated based on total formulation cost, processing efficiency, and performance benefits rather than filler price alone.
Different fillers can influence viscosity, sag resistance, leveling, and application. Formulators often need to fine-tune rheology packages to achieve the same application characteristics as a talc-containing formulation.
They can be, depending on the alternative used. Sustainability should be assessed using factors such as carbon footprint, resource efficiency, transportation impact, and life-cycle assessment rather than simply removing talc from the formulation.
Architectural paints, industrial coatings, wood coatings, and certain powder coatings have shown good potential for talc replacement. The feasibility depends on the performance requirements of the specific end-use application.
Rather than searching for a perfect talc substitute, the most successful approach is to optimize the entire formulation around the chosen alternative mineral. This ensures the desired balance of performance, cost, processing, and sustainability.
No. Talc grades differ significantly in particle size, morphology, aspect ratio, brightness, and oil absorption. Therefore, the most suitable replacement depends on the specific formulation and the performance requirements. A direct one-to-one replacement is rarely possible.
Burgess THERMO-GLACE+ is a delaminated hydrous kaolin with a very platy particle morphology, which provides characteristics similar to those associated with talc in coating formulations. Depending on the formulation requirements, it can be used in combination with Omya ground calcium carbonate, Omyacarb, to support an effective talc replacement strategy.
Yes. Burgess THERMO-GLACE+ has been successfully used to replace talc in undercoat primers. Its platy morphology makes it suitable for primer applications and can help achieve equal or better enamel hold-out and stain-blocking performance in the formulations evaluated.
Yes. Talc replacement is not limited to decorative coatings. For industrial steel coatings, a combination of calcined clay and Omyacarb ground calcium carbonate can be considered where maintaining properties such as corrosion resistance is important. The final mineral combination should be optimized for the specific coating formulation and performance requirements.
Burgess Iceberg is a conventionally calcined kaolin, while Burgess Optiwhite is produced using flash calcination. Flash-calcined clay provides enhanced light scattering across a broad pigment volume concentration (PVC) range, whereas Iceberg is particularly suited to higher-PVC formulations.
Yes. Burgess Optiwhite is particularly suitable for lower-PVC formulations, including formulations around 50 PVC and below. Its flash-calcined structure provides effective light scattering, which can enable formulators to reduce TiO₂ levels and potentially lower formulation costs while targeting the required optical performance.
Burgess THERMO-GLACE+ has a median particle size (d50) of approximately 1.2 µm, making it finer than many industrial talcs used in coatings. For this reason, combining it with a coarser Omya ground calcium carbonate Omyacarb , can help formulators achieve the desired overall particle-size distribution and coating properties.
