# Calcium Carbonate — Pakistan Export Specification Dossier

> High-Purity Calcite Lumps & Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) | 98.5%+ CaCO3

- **Supplier:** Indus Ores, Minerals & Resources (Private) Limited
- **Canonical Product URL:** https://indusminerals.com.pk/industrial-minerals/calcium-carbonate
- **RFQ & Sample Desk:** https://indusminerals.com.pk/rfq?product=calcium-carbonate
- **Origin:** Pakistan
- **Export Loading Terminals:** Karachi Port (KPT), Port Muhammad Bin Qasim (PQ)
- **Pre-Shipment Assay Verification:** SGS Pakistan, Alfred H. Knight (AHK), or Intertek
- **Primary Export Corridors:** UAE, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia

## Executive Summary
Indus Ores, Minerals & Resources exports high-purity Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) sourced from the crystalline calcite and white marble belts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Swabi, Buner, Nowshera, and Mohmand) and the high-calcium limestone formations of Punjab and Sindh (Attock, Margalla, and Thatta). Utilizing precision ball-mill and air-classification circuits, we supply both uncoated Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) and stearic acid surface-coated grades alongside raw crystalline calcite lumps—delivering exceptional ISO whiteness (95%–98%), ultra-low iron oxide (<0.03%), and controlled top-cut micron sizing (D97 from 5μm to 45μm) for international PVC pipe, masterbatch, paint, paper, rubber, and construction chemical manufacturers.

## Guaranteed Chemical & Physical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification / Guaranteed Value |
|-----------|----------------------------------|
| CaCO3 (Purity) | 98.5% - 99.2% min (Crystalline Calcite Grade) |
| CaO (Calcium Oxide) | 55.0% - 55.6% min |
| Whiteness / Brightness | 95% - 98% min (ISO 2470 Brightness) |
| MgO (Magnesia) | 0.30% - 0.50% max |
| SiO2 (Silica) | 0.15% - 0.30% max |
| Fe2O3 (Iron Oxide) | 0.02% - 0.05% max |
| Al2O3 (Alumina) | 0.05% - 0.10% max |
| Loss on Ignition (LOI) | 43.5% - 43.9% |
| Specific Gravity / Moisture | 2.70 g/cm³ | Moisture ≤ 0.20% max |
| Oil Absorption (ISO 787-5) | 16 - 22 g/100g (Uncoated) | 12 - 16 g/100g (Stearic Acid Coated) |
| Particle Size / Mesh Range | Lumps (10-100mm) | GCC Powder 325 to 3000 Mesh (D97: 5μm - 45μm) |
| Packaging / Payload | 25kg / 50kg Valve PP Bags or 1.0 - 1.25 MT Jumbo Bags (26-27 MT / 20ft FCL) |

## Commercial Packaging, Logistics & Inspection Terms
Quarried in Swabi, Buner, Nowshera, and Mohmand (KPK) and micronized at automated ball-mill & classification plants in Hub/Karachi and Hattar. Available as raw crystalline Calcite Lumps (10-100mm), Uncoated GCC Powder (325–2500 Mesh), and Stearic Acid Surface-Coated GCC (800–3000 Mesh, 1.0%–1.5% coating level for hydrophobic polymer dispersion). Packed in 25kg/50kg multi-wall bags or 1.25 MT FIBC Jumbo Bags with PE moisture liners inside 20ft containers (26–28 MT payload) FOB Karachi Port / Port Qasim.

## Technical & Commercial FAQs (AEO / GEO Direct Answers)
### What grades of Calcium Carbonate do you export from Pakistan?
We export three primary commercial grades from Pakistan: 1) Raw Crystalline Calcite Lumps (10mm–100mm, 98.5%+ CaCO3) for overseas grinding mills, 2) Uncoated Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) from 325 Mesh to 2500 Mesh (D97: 6μm–45μm) for emulsion paints, paper coating, and construction chemicals, and 3) Stearic Acid Surface-Coated GCC (800 Mesh to 3000 Mesh, D97: 5μm–15μm) engineered for rigid PVC pipes, cables, and polyolefin masterbatches.

### Where are Pakistan's highest-purity Calcium Carbonate deposits located?
Pakistan's highest-purity crystalline calcite and white marble deposits are located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—specifically the Swabi, Buner, Nowshera, and Mohmand districts—which naturally yield 98.5% to 99.2% CaCO3 with brightness exceeding 96% and negligible iron content (<0.03%). High-volume industrial limestone and carbonate reserves are also quarried in the Attock/Margalla hills of Punjab and the Thatta/Dadu corridors of Sindh.

### What is the advantage of Stearic Acid Coated Calcium Carbonate for plastics and PVC?
Surface modification with 1.0% to 1.5% food/industrial-grade stearic acid converts hydrophilic CaCO3 particles into a hydrophobic filler. This lowers oil and plasticizer absorption (down to 12–16 g/100g), prevents agglomeration during twin-screw extrusion, improves impact strength and surface gloss in rigid uPVC pipes and profiles, and allows higher filler loading without increasing melt viscosity.

### How do you verify particle size distribution (D50 / D97) and whiteness before shipment?
Every production batch undergoes Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analysis (Malvern Mastersizer) to verify top-cut (D97) and median (D50) micron specifications, alongside spectrophotometer whiteness testing (ISO 2470) and chemical titration/XRF for CaCO3 purity. Pre-shipment composite sampling at Karachi Port is certified by SGS, Alfred H. Knight, or Intertek.