Industrial Minerals · Buyer's Guide
Perlite: Buyer's Guide to Crude and Expanded Perlite
Perlite is a volcanic glass that holds a little water in its structure. Heated quickly, it pops like popcorn and expands up to 20 times in volume. Most international trade is in crude (unexpanded) perlite, which buyers expand near where it will be used. This guide covers the market, the uses, the specifications and the HS codes.
The perlite market in numbers
| Country | Mine production, 2025 (thousand t) |
|---|---|
| China | 1,500 |
| Türkiye | 1,400 |
| Greece | 840 |
| United States | 660 |
| World total | 4,600 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. The average value of US perlite in 2025 was about US$78 per tonne, free on board the mine.
Crude vs expanded perlite
| Crude (unexpanded) | Expanded | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mined, crushed and sized volcanic glass | Crude perlite heated to about 850–900 °C |
| Water | About 3–5% combined water | Driven off during expansion |
| Bulk density | Dense rock grains | About 30–150 kg/m³ |
| Why it matters | Compact and cheap to ship | Very light and bulky; usually expanded near the market |
| HS code | 2530.10 — vermiculite, perlite and chlorites, unexpanded | Generally 6806.20 — expanded mineral materials |
Where perlite is used
Building products
The largest use: lightweight plasters, insulating concrete, masonry fill and ceiling tiles. About 45% of US processed perlite went to building products in 2025.
Horticulture
Expanded perlite aerates potting mixes and growing media; about 15% of US use.
Filter aids
Milled expanded perlite filters beer, wine, juices and chemicals; about 15% of US use.
Fillers and insulation
Used as a lightweight filler and in cryogenic and high-temperature insulation.
What to specify in your request for quotation
- Crude or expanded, and the end use it must suit
- Grain size: the screen range for crude ore, or the grade for expanded material
- Expansion performance: the expanded bulk density achieved in the buyer's own furnace
- Combined water and chemistry, which drive how well the ore expands
- Moisture and impurities such as free silica, if relevant to your use
- Quantity, packaging, Incoterm and destination port, plus a certificate of analysis per lot
Customs classification and shipping
- HS 2530.10 covers unexpanded perlite. Expanded perlite is generally classified under 6806.20. Check the tariff line with the HS Code Explorer.
- Ship crude, expand locally. Expanded perlite is so light that a container fills by volume long before weight, which is why the trade is mostly in crude ore.
- Crude perlite moves in bulk carriers for large tonnages, or in FIBC bulk bags in containers for smaller lots.
- Plan loads with the CBM calculator and the container specifications library, and compare FOB and CFR offers with the Incoterms® 2020 guide and the landed cost calculator.
About this guide
This is independent reference information for buyers and specifiers. IMPUTIX is published by Mada Trade Co. in Alexandria; the guide is not an offer to sell this material, and product availability should always be confirmed with your own suppliers.
Shipping a bulk mineral? See export packaging for FIBC bulk bags and export packaging options.
Market context: industrial minerals market research. Other mineral guides: Anhydrite · Metakaolin · Calcined shale.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between crude and expanded perlite?
Crude perlite is the mined, crushed volcanic glass. Expanded perlite is crude perlite heated to about 850–900 °C so its trapped water turns to steam and the grains expand up to 20 times.
What is the HS code for perlite?
Unexpanded perlite is HS 2530.10. Expanded perlite is generally classified under HS 6806.20. National tariff lines add further digits.
Which countries produce the most perlite?
China, Türkiye, Greece and the United States led 2025 production, out of about 4.6 million tonnes worldwide according to USGS.
What is perlite used for?
Mainly building products such as lightweight plasters and insulating concrete, plus horticulture, filter aids and fillers.
Sources
- Perlite — USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (production, prices, end uses)
- Perlite — Wikipedia (water content, expansion temperature, bulk density)
- HS 2530.10 — Vermiculite, perlite and chlorites, unexpanded
- HS 6806.20 — Expanded mineral materials
Last reviewed: September 2026.