Calcium silicate is the chemical compound Ca2SiO4, also known as calcium orthosilicate and sometimes formulated 2CaO.SiO2. It is one of a group of compounds obtained by reacting calcium oxide and silica in various ratios e.g. 3CaO•SiO2, Ca3SiO5; 2CaO•SiO2, Ca2SiO4; 3CaO•2SiO2, Ca3Si2O7 and CaO•SiO2, CaSiO3. Calcium silicate is a white free-flowing powder derived from limestone and diatomaceous earth. It has a low bulk density and high physical water absorption. It is used in Power Plants, Furnaces, Passive Fire Protection, Sugar Industry, Ceramic and Glassware, Cement Industry,Aluminium Industry, Iron and Steel Industry, Fertilizer, Refinery and Petrochemical Industry.
It is a lightweight, precast building material that simultaneously provides structure, insulation, and fire and mold resistance. Calcium silicate products include Calcium silicate blocks, Calcium silicate U Blocks, Calcium silicate wall panels, Calcium silicate floor and roof panels, and Calcium silicate lintels. It has become one of the most used building materials in Europe and is rapidly growing in many other countries around the world.
Calcium silicate is a lightweight, load-bearing, high insulating, durable building product, which is produced in a wide range of sizes and strengths. Calcium silicate offers incredible opportunities to increase building quality and at the same time reduce costs at the construction site.
India a country with more than 1.2 billion people and growing urban and rural divide, there is a unfilled demand for the basic requirements of housing, infrastructure, workplaces, and business premises etc. the construction and concrete industry has a huge demand to provide for these requirements with sustainability cost effectiveness, durability and time period on a continuous basis. Many cement and building materials companies in India have launched new eco friendly cements like PPC, PSC, M sand, Slag sand, Soil stabilized cement blocks, Flyash blocks instead of Bricks to make the construction of buildings eco friendly both in rural and urban areas in India.
The global calcium silicate market is segmented into regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific accounted for more than 50% share of the global calcium silicate market followed by Europe and North America.
Application of calcium silicate in tiles, bricks, and cement is driving growth in the construction sector. Global demand for calcium silicate is expected to witness strong growth in the near future, thereby offering significant market opportunities to producers. Increasing demand for calcium silicate has compelled producers to undertake expansion and acquisition of projects to meet global demand. Numerous producers are shifting their plants to countries such as China and India due to various factors such as low raw material and labor costs.Thus, due to demand it is a good project for entrepreneurs to invest.
Few Indian Major Players are as under
H I L Ltd.
Passary Minerals Ltd.
Ramco Industries Ltd.
Refractory Specialities (India) Ltd.