By: Staff Writer
December 22, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan calcium carbonate market has witnessed a significant transformation over the past few years. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a measure of market competitiveness, increased from 1807 in 2017 to 2384 in 2023, indicating a shift toward a moderately competitive market. A higher HHI suggests fewer players or exporting countries in the market, while a lower value represents a more diverse landscape.
Amid these market dynamics, Macksons Minerals and Polymers Ltd., a subsidiary of the Macksons Holdings Group, has made a strategic move by signing a $17 million agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka. This agreement marks the launch of an ambitious project to establish a cutting-edge processing facility aimed at maximizing the value of locally sourced minerals.
Located on a 15-acre site in Milleniya, Paragasthota, the proposed plant will feature three production lines dedicated to manufacturing ultra-fine ground calcium carbonate (GCC), dolomite powders, solvent-based resins, and water-based binders.
These materials will cater to industries such as coatings, ceramics, construction, and allied sectors. The facility will serve both the local market and the indirect export sector, reducing the country’s dependency on imports and curbing foreign exchange outflows.
This initiative aligns with the BOI’s goals of fostering sustainable industrial growth and supporting Sri Lanka’s journey toward industrial self-reliance. Macksons Minerals and Polymers aims to elevate local industry standards, promote economic development, and contribute to the country’s industrialization efforts.
Calcium carbonate, a versatile mineral abundant in nature, plays a critical role across various industries. It is widely used as a coating agent for paper and cardboard, an additive in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, a soil fertilizer, a water remineralizer, and in flue gas desulfurization. Its applications in plastics date back to the 1950s, with its integration into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) formulations.
The mineral has since become integral to products such as wires, cables, pipes, and profiles, with polyolefins accounting for a significant share of its use. It is also utilized in thermoforming sheets, injection-molded articles, and shopping bags. In films, calcium carbonate enhances performance by reducing density and boosting opacity, as seen in BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) films.
Recent innovations have further advanced calcium carbonate applications in polymers. By increasing its content to 40%-60%, manufacturers can create breathable films for hygiene products like diapers, with membranes offering high water-vapor transmission rates. These developments demand customized calcium carbonate solutions tailored to specific industrial requirements.
In fiber applications, particularly polypropylene (PP) spunmelt and dry-laid fibers, advancements have led to the creation of highly refined calcium carbonate grades. These products feature superior particle size and dispersion properties, enhancing processability and compatibility with polymer matrices.
Macksons Minerals and Polymers’ investment signals a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s industrial sector, leveraging local resources to meet the evolving demands of global markets. This initiative not only boosts the domestic economy but also strengthens the country’s position as a competitive player in the calcium carbonate market.
