Paper Industry
High-brightness natural micronized calcium carbonate (GCC) as a functional filler and coating pigment for the paper industry. 3 product grades AY 103, AY 106 and AY 108.
Calcium Carbonate in the Paper Industry
Natural micronized calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) — also known as Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) — is one of the most essential raw materials in the paper industry. In paper manufacturing it is used both as a functional filler in the paper furnish and as a coating pigment on the paper surface, directly influencing brightness, opacity, surface smoothness and print quality of the finished sheet.
At Aydın Madencilik, we produce natural micronized calcium carbonate at our Bursa Gemlik facility using German Hosokawa Alpine technology, from high-purity calcite stone extracted at our own licensed quarries. Our paper-grade GCC products are supplied to writing and printing paper, coated paper, board and packaging paper mills across Turkey, Europe and global export markets.
Calcium Carbonate as a Paper Filler
Added to the paper furnish as a functional filler, natural GCC fills the voids between cellulose fibres and improves opacity and brightness of the finished paper, while reducing cellulose consumption and optimising production cost. Our AY 103 (3 µm) grade — with its high brightness value and fine particle size — is preferred as a filler in writing and printing paper production by European paper mills.
Calcium Carbonate as a Coating Pigment
In coating colour formulations applied to the paper surface, calcium carbonate creates a smooth, glossy surface that enhances print quality. Used as a primary coating pigment in coated paper (LWC, MWC, art paper) production, our AY 106 (6 µm) natural micronized grade delivers excellent surface smoothness and ink absorption balance for offset and rotogravure printing.
Board and Packaging Paper Production
In board and packaging paper production, calcium carbonate maintains mechanical strength while improving brightness and opacity. Our AY 108 (8 µm) natural micronized grade is an economical and high-performance filler solution for board production. It is widely used in food-grade packaging board and industrial board manufacturing across European packaging mills.
Alkaline Papermaking and CaCO₃
With the global shift from acidic to alkaline papermaking processes, calcium carbonate usage has grown dramatically. In an alkaline environment, CaCO₃ remains chemically stable, enabling filler loadings of 20–30% in the finished paper — significantly reducing raw material cost and improving sheet properties including brightness, opacity and bulk. This is the dominant filler chemistry in modern European fine paper, board and coated paper production.
From Raw Material to Micronized GCC
The natural micronized calcium carbonate we supply to the paper industry is produced from high-purity calcite stone extracted at our own licensed quarry sites, then ground and micronized on Hosokawa Alpine mills. The entire process from raw material to finished product is under our control. Operating from our 15,000 m² production facility in Bursa Gemlik, Turkey, since 1999, we produce paper-grade calcium carbonate that meets the paper industry’s requirements for low abrasiveness, high brightness and tight particle size distribution. Our proximity to Gemlik Port enables fast maritime shipments to European paper mills in Germany, Finland, Sweden, France, Italy and beyond.
Calcium Carbonate Paper Industry Advantages in the Industry
High Brightness Value
High-purity calcite stone from our own licensed quarry sites delivers superior brightness and opacity values in paper formulations — critical for premium writing, printing and coated paper grades.
Low Abrasiveness
Fine particle size and our controlled production process minimise wear on paper machines and forming fabrics, extending equipment life and reducing maintenance cost.
Cost Optimisation through High Filler Loading
High filler loadings reduce cellulose consumption and significantly lower paper production cost while maintaining brightness, opacity and bulk.
Narrow Particle Size Distribution
German Hosokawa Alpine micronization technology delivers a narrow particle size distribution, ensuring consistent quality and homogeneous dispersion in critical paper furnish and coating formulations.
Integrated Supply Security
From licensed quarry to micronized product — our fully integrated supply chain guarantees uninterrupted raw material availability and consistent batch-to-batch quality for European paper mills.
Paper Industry Frequently Asked Questions
What is calcium carbonate used for in the paper industry?
Natural micronized calcium carbonate (Ground Calcium Carbonate / GCC) serves two primary purposes in paper manufacturing: as a functional filler in the paper furnish to improve brightness and opacity, and as a coating pigment on the paper surface to enhance print quality. It also reduces cellulose consumption and optimizes production cost.
Which micron size of calcium carbonate is preferred as a paper filler?
For paper furnish filler applications, fine micronized GCC between 3 and 8 microns is generally preferred. The fine particle size enables homogeneous distribution between cellulose fibres, improving sheet opacity and brightness. Aydın Madencilik’s AY 103 (3 µm) grade is widely used as a writing and printing paper filler.
How is calcium carbonate used in coated paper production?
In coated paper (LWC, MWC, art paper) production, calcium carbonate is the primary pigment in the coating colour applied to the sheet surface. It creates a smooth, glossy surface that improves print quality for offset and rotogravure processes. Our AY 106 (6 µm) natural micronized grade delivers excellent surface smoothness and ink absorption balance for coating applications.
How does calcium carbonate affect paper production cost?
Calcium carbonate substantially reduces paper production cost. As a much more economical raw material than chemical pulp, micronized GCC used at 20–30% filler loading proportionally reduces cellulose consumption. In modern alkaline papermaking the cost benefit is one of the dominant drivers of CaCO₃ usage.
Does calcium carbonate cause abrasion on paper machines?
High-quality micronized calcium carbonate produced under controlled conditions delivers low abrasiveness. With Hosokawa Alpine micronization technology, our products feature a narrow particle size distribution and controlled hardness — minimizing wear on forming fabrics, press felts and dryer surfaces.
Why is calcium carbonate preferred in alkaline papermaking?
With the global shift from acidic to alkaline papermaking processes, calcium carbonate usage has grown dramatically. In an alkaline environment CaCO₃ remains chemically stable and enables filler loadings of 20–30%, significantly improving sheet brightness, opacity, durability and aging resistance while reducing raw material cost.
What is your logistics advantage for calcium carbonate supply to European paper mills?
Our facility is located in Gemlik, Bursa, with direct access to Gemlik Port. This enables maritime shipments to European paper mills in Germany, Finland, Sweden, France, Italy, the Netherlands and beyond, as well as global export markets. Container, big bag and bulk delivery options are available.
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