AIHAI Let’s Talk Talc
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LET’S TALK TALC.<br />
DURABILITY. ENDURANCE. COMFORT. HAPTICS.<br />
//2021
Chapter 1<br />
ABOUT TALC<br />
TALC FROM<br />
THE START.<br />
We mine, we grind and we deliver talc.<br />
Almost everything that you touch, use or look at on<br />
an everyday basis owes its properties to the use of talc.<br />
Right at the beginning<br />
The very moment a human being has a first encounter with<br />
talc is — right at their birth. <strong>Talc</strong> is applied in almost everything<br />
essential during the process of human birth. Delivery<br />
rooms worldwide are well-equipped with talc used in sterile<br />
gloves, medical applications and instruments, fabrics and<br />
many other items. <strong>Talc</strong> is one of the very first substances that<br />
has contact with our skin, of course natural and safe, making<br />
the beginning of our lives smooth and warm.<br />
Touch points during life<br />
As life evolves, a human being also gains more frequent<br />
touch points with talc applications. Whether it is the favourite<br />
cereal bowl (the one with the little funny bears, colourfully<br />
printed on the outside, both the bowl and the print made<br />
durable thanks to talc), or the beloved toy cowboy (which<br />
will be taken to kindergarten or school, secretly stuffed into<br />
the kid’s bag) or just the raincoat mum or dad insists is worn<br />
this blustery rainy day, featuring a reliable water repellent<br />
coating thanks to – you name it: talc. But wait, there is more<br />
to talc, not just kids’ stuff!<br />
2
3
At the turn<br />
of a new era<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> — a versatile substance.<br />
The new milling plant in Traboch is supplied with talc from our mining sources in Haicheng,<br />
China, extracted since 1949, now subject to the government’s highest environmental laws and<br />
standards. Once it has arrived in Austria as a raw material, processing of each new batch starts,<br />
matching our customers‘ needs with tailor-made quality and refinement. Executed by our carefully<br />
selected team of Austrian and international workers, technicians and consultants, as well<br />
as our our trained sales representatives with exceptional knowledge about the latest and of<br />
course future technologies in talc applications such as compounds and many others. We do not<br />
only mine, mill and deliver talc in various qualities and definitions, at <strong>AIHAI</strong> this versatile substance<br />
is what we are dedicated to and what we love to talk about.<br />
This is the background to our mission statement about how <strong>AIHAI</strong> is positioned in this colourful<br />
world of durability, haptics and endurance – which would miss out so much reliability and<br />
comfort without talc:<br />
AHAI. <strong>Let’s</strong> talc.<br />
OUR<br />
APPROACH<br />
TO TALC.<br />
4
HIGHEST<br />
ENVIRONMENTAL<br />
LAWS & STANDARDS<br />
5
Chapter 2<br />
APPLICATIONS<br />
APPLICATIONS<br />
OF TALC:<br />
A VERSATILE<br />
SUBSTANCE.<br />
6
TALC: THE ALL-ROUNDER<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> is a complex, highly versatile substance<br />
from a mineral source that is sustainably<br />
extracted at the <strong>AIHAI</strong> mining sites (and in<br />
many other parts of the world as well). It<br />
is ubiquitous in our lives, as well as natural<br />
and safe.<br />
We encounter talc in bumpers, tyres and<br />
other car parts, in cosmetics, in small and<br />
large household appliances, in plastics<br />
of all kinds, in paints, coatings and sensitive<br />
surfaces such as laptops and smartphones.<br />
7
LET’S TALC<br />
ABOUT LIFE.<br />
8
Some of the greatest ideas<br />
are impressively simple.<br />
Innovation made by nature.<br />
The manufacturing industry is right at the dawn<br />
of a new era, one in which safety, durability<br />
and resistance will be a greater challenge for<br />
manufacturers than in earlier decades. <strong>AIHAI</strong>’s<br />
mission is to ensure the most adequate formulation<br />
for each application and individualisation,<br />
in order to meet our customers’ requirements<br />
perfectly.<br />
New era – new requirements.<br />
Attention to detail.<br />
Because unpleasant surprises can still be waiting<br />
for us around every corner in the 21st<br />
century, forward-looking action is essential.<br />
The intelligent properties of the natural raw<br />
material talc, such as its softness and micronisable<br />
characteristics, efficiently fill up interparticular<br />
areas within polymer compounds. Its<br />
lamellar and hydrophobic characteristics make<br />
talc an optimal natural resource for use in the<br />
paper industry as well as in paints and coatings.<br />
Furthermore it significantly increases the rigidity<br />
and impact strength of plastics and polymers<br />
which, among other applications, are often put<br />
to use in the automotive industry and appliance<br />
manufacturing to ensure maximum protection<br />
and foresight.<br />
For the highest requirements.<br />
From prototype to mass production.<br />
From the very first moment, <strong>AIHAI</strong> is the partner<br />
of its industry customers, offering tailormade<br />
talc compositions. The requirements placed<br />
on materials by new technologies influence<br />
our in-house product development right from<br />
the first prototype. This enables our customers<br />
to achieve their goals faster and more reliably,<br />
as the optimal provision of talc creates clear<br />
competitive advantages.<br />
9
Plastics<br />
& Rubbers<br />
Nature keeps products in<br />
shape. <strong>Talc</strong> from <strong>AIHAI</strong><br />
does more.<br />
Longevity & resistance.<br />
Our daily encounter with talc in one way<br />
or another.<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> is put to use in the automotive<br />
industry, in its exterior mirror housings<br />
and rubber tyres, in order to improve<br />
resistance and take advantage of the<br />
natural both soft and durable properties<br />
of talc. Appliances become sturdier<br />
and resistant to higher temperatures,<br />
which are two of many important<br />
factors in the manufacturing of white<br />
goods such as fridges, washing machines,<br />
kitchen stoves and many more.<br />
Home appliances simplify our daily<br />
routines, make our life safer and the<br />
covers of household devices containing<br />
talc are aesthetically pleasing.<br />
A customised raw material.<br />
Only the best quality for the best<br />
technology.<br />
Modern polymers must constantly<br />
meet higher mechanical requirements<br />
and become lighter in order to reduce<br />
vehicle emissions, for example – but<br />
without losing their resistance. The<br />
engineers in our worldwide <strong>AIHAI</strong> research<br />
and development are therefore<br />
constantly involved in supporting our<br />
customers in order to give the natural<br />
raw material talc a tailor-made performance.<br />
Strength by nature.<br />
The strength of goods lies in their<br />
production details<br />
Wear and tear, weather resistance and<br />
conductivity are substantial concerns<br />
in the field of rubber production. Due<br />
to its features, talc can therefore be<br />
optimally put to use in the manufacturing<br />
of rubbers such as cables, tyres<br />
and seals.<br />
Prolonging the lifespan of things.<br />
Ensuring the reliability of products<br />
for years to come.<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> is used in thermoplastic casings<br />
and enclosures such as computers,<br />
televisions and electronic equipment.<br />
It improves dimensional stability,<br />
reduces thermal expansion and<br />
other changes to the appearance of<br />
polypropylene materials.<br />
10
LET’S TALC<br />
ENDURANCE.<br />
11
LET’S TALC<br />
DURABILITY.<br />
12
Paints & Coatings<br />
Sustainability through durability.<br />
Almost everything that you touch, use or look<br />
at on an everyday basis owes its properties to<br />
the use of talc. From the cereal bowl to the<br />
smartphone cover to the water-repellent all-weather<br />
clothing or brightly coloured toys that are<br />
particularly sturdy and easy to keep in order:<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> is the indispensable raw material that gives<br />
reliable coatings their physical characteristics<br />
and bright colours lasting brilliance.<br />
Paints and coatings play a significant role in<br />
heavy duty application, achieving a higher<br />
degree of sturdiness, being significantly longer<br />
lasting and weather-resistant, especially in the<br />
industrial field as well as aircrafts and vessels.<br />
Individuality for a reason.<br />
Tailor made solutions.<br />
The <strong>AIHAI</strong> product range boasts a wide selection<br />
of white talc compositions to which any<br />
colour can be applied. Through recognised<br />
mixing ratios, our products always meet the<br />
most discerning standards for the particular<br />
end product of our customers, with wide global<br />
interest and delivery security.<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong>: We strive for greatness.<br />
More than just paint.<br />
The natural raw material from our mines and<br />
mills gives coatings significantly better mechanical<br />
and optical properties. <strong>Talc</strong> particles<br />
give indoor and outdoor paint particularly high<br />
coverage. The lamellar structure of talc can do<br />
a lot more: it makes it easier to apply, improves<br />
resistance to mechanical damage such as surface<br />
cracks and prevents seepage. Primers also<br />
provide improved corrosion protection through<br />
talc, keep mould away and allow paints to adhere<br />
better. Even inks in writing implements and<br />
offset printers, sliding joint components, adhesive<br />
coatings and soft-touch surfaces contain<br />
talc for optimal performance of their tasks.<br />
13
Body Care<br />
& Cosmetics<br />
Compatibility through security.<br />
Our daily routine begins with talc. Whether it is<br />
the snooze button on the radio alarm clock with<br />
its pleasant soft-touch coating or whether it is the<br />
care products in the bathroom: talc, the raw material<br />
given by nature, touches us – and we touch it and<br />
thus trigger positive emotions.<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> of the best quality from sustainable production<br />
is indispensable for high-quality and safe body care<br />
and cosmetic products. Modern consumers rely on<br />
safe ingredients in their daily care routine that<br />
provide protection, moisture and a pleasant sensory<br />
experience.<br />
A comfortable feel<br />
Natural beauty: talc.<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> performs many tasks in cosmetic and personal<br />
care products, especially preventing clumping and<br />
improving the feel of the product when used by<br />
consumers.<br />
As a component of care products, talc absorbs oil and<br />
ensures that the skin feels soft, fresh, cool and dry.<br />
Due to its consistency, talc also reduces friction and<br />
chafing, and therefore sometimes also painful skin irritations.<br />
In aesthetic cosmetics, talc is used to soften<br />
shine and to help keep the natural skin oils at bay.<br />
Quality you can sense<br />
Natural quality at its best.<br />
<strong>Talc</strong>, used in personal care and cosmetics, is at the<br />
top of the purity scale, because talc in cosmetic<br />
quality must meet the highest level of consumer<br />
safety. The suitable types of talc are extracted<br />
from those controlled <strong>AIHAI</strong> mines in China that<br />
have been specially selected for the high quality<br />
and purity of the raw material.<br />
14
LET’S TALC<br />
COMFORT.<br />
15
LET’S TALC<br />
HAPTICS.<br />
16
Paper & Pulp<br />
Technology provides a gentle touch.<br />
Sliding your fingertips over a simple sheet of<br />
coated paper reveals after a few moments:<br />
talc is involved here. Cellulose products such<br />
as towels, packaging or modern disposable<br />
dishes also acquire their characteristic physical<br />
properties not least through talc from <strong>AIHAI</strong>.<br />
Mainly used for modification in the production<br />
of paper and cellulose, talc can do a lot more:<br />
as a filler, it provides special characteristics of<br />
demanding paper types and improves the haptic<br />
and technical profiles of the end products<br />
thanks to its grease- and moisture-binding properties,<br />
as well as the high lamellarity, especially in<br />
recycling processes.<br />
Neutralisation through talc.<br />
Pitch control & paper coating.<br />
Due to its highly lipophilic and planar structure,<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong> talc is utilised in pitch control and it serves<br />
as a de-inking substance, in order to inhibit the<br />
organic impurification of the pulp as well as keeping<br />
the recycled paper from agglomerating.<br />
As a matter of fact, its highly lipophilic and<br />
planar composition even works to neutralise<br />
remaining adhesive resiny bits, preventing any<br />
kind of re-agglomeration.<br />
Excellent processability granted by talc.<br />
Paper coating<br />
In paper coating, talc takes on multiple roles.<br />
In virtue of its lamellarity and softness, it gives<br />
the required degree of mattness and processability<br />
to the paper and cuts down possible ink<br />
abrasion while printing.<br />
Keeps moisture at bay.<br />
For the technology between the fibres.<br />
Due to its multiple properties, such as lamellarity,<br />
softness, being hydrophobic and its plain<br />
surface, <strong>AIHAI</strong> talc can be utilised in the food<br />
packaging industry as it works wonders when it<br />
comes to water vapour. <strong>AIHAI</strong> talc used as a paper<br />
filler enhances the smoothness of the paper<br />
and its water retention barrier, as it decreases<br />
the porosity of the material.<br />
Contrary to substituting chemicals, talc particles<br />
remain in the paper or are washed out in the<br />
process, without polluting the process water.<br />
17
LET’S TALC<br />
MARKETS.<br />
18
Sustainability in every<br />
aspect of the business.<br />
Going the extra mile.<br />
<strong>Let’s</strong> talc unique.<br />
It simply cannot be dismissed: talc, the versatile natural<br />
raw material, must first be extracted in order<br />
to fulfil its important tasks of our modern product<br />
world. In the almost eighty-year company history,<br />
however, <strong>AIHAI</strong> has always pursued talc mining<br />
carefully and with foresight, aware of finite, natural<br />
resources.<br />
Every quality - any quantity: <strong>AIHAI</strong> talc ranges<br />
from medium to the highest quality and purest<br />
talc compositions to suit the field of application<br />
perfectly. The needs of our customers and<br />
the market are the focus of our attention, we<br />
therefore work in close collaboration with our<br />
customers to put together the best suited composition<br />
of <strong>AIHAI</strong> natural mineral talc to meet<br />
those requirements.<br />
Continual research, development and quality<br />
management: <strong>AIHAI</strong> is progressively working<br />
on moving forward by utilising cutting-edge<br />
sorting and milling technologies to develop new<br />
products every year, in order to ensure continuous<br />
improvement. <strong>AIHAI</strong>’s talc reserves and<br />
the mineral raw material are asbestos-free, free<br />
of heavy metals and consistent in quality and<br />
yield, in every quality level available. Which is of<br />
course a must, but still needs to be mentioned.<br />
Sustainability in every aspect: Besides effectively<br />
reducing <strong>AIHAI</strong>’s environmental impact and waste<br />
management, <strong>AIHAI</strong> consistently optimises its<br />
resource management to effectively prolong the<br />
lifespan of every single <strong>AIHAI</strong> talc resource.<br />
Other market applications.<br />
<strong>Talc</strong> for every use.<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong> produces magnesitic talc for a huge<br />
variety of applications. That is one of the main<br />
reasons why we successfully compete in individual<br />
markets and always meet any type of new<br />
needs when it comes to talc. Any installation<br />
in a building needs to be tight. In construction,<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong> manufactures talc for the most reliable<br />
and thick adhesives, sealants and putties found<br />
on the market.<br />
That is our goal and always will be. We want customers<br />
to have reliable products when purchasing<br />
and using <strong>AIHAI</strong> talc. It is also part of our<br />
mission to enable the most durable technical<br />
and electronic ceramics. All of these, even very<br />
small parts, need to work as reliably as possible<br />
and must be produced very precisely. <strong>AIHAI</strong><br />
strives to be an outstanding partner for all kinds<br />
of technical and electronic ceramic parts for<br />
industrial use.<br />
Multitalent: <strong>Talc</strong><br />
Not just for the bathroom & kitchen.<br />
What talc does before you leave the house in<br />
the morning is impressive. But when the ignition<br />
key is turned in the car, the natural wonder<br />
talc is used again – in the service of environmental<br />
protection, because catalytic converters<br />
for internal combustion engines contain tens<br />
of thousands of ceramic honeycombs, which in<br />
turn could not be produced without talc.<br />
19
LET’S TALC<br />
RESOURCES.<br />
20
Leading in quality<br />
by example.<br />
Establishing a baseline of excellence.<br />
Natural resources for 120 years to come.<br />
We don’t know the future. So we plan ahead.<br />
Efficient resource management is essential<br />
in order to extend the lifespan of our mines<br />
through careful mining (our forecast currently<br />
extends around 120 years into the future) –<br />
because modern systems now work so precisely<br />
that the required raw material can be extracted<br />
precisely and thus laborious reworking can be<br />
reduced .<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong> therefore continuously audits its own<br />
innovation management, mining planning,<br />
processing techniques and grinding processes,<br />
as well as logistics and customer service.<br />
Quality management is key.<br />
Certified excellence.<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong> is fully committed to quality management<br />
and the continuous improvement of our methods<br />
and products.<br />
Ensuring consistent quality is an essential<br />
part of <strong>AIHAI</strong>’s corporate culture. As the first<br />
Chinese talc producer, <strong>AIHAI</strong> was certified<br />
according to the internationally recognised<br />
ISI9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 as well<br />
as ISO / IEC17025 laboratory accreditations.<br />
21
Chapter 3<br />
ABOUT US<br />
LET’S TALC<br />
ABOUT US<br />
1980<br />
1949<br />
The Haicheng Mining Company was founded<br />
as the predecessor of <strong>AIHAI</strong>.<br />
The company‘s successful journey began over<br />
70 years ago with the establishment of the Haicheng<br />
Mining Company in Liaoning Province.<br />
19<br />
1960<br />
Global Export Wonder.<br />
Haicheng Mining Company was the first Chinese<br />
company to export talc outside of China.<br />
22
Being A First Mover.<br />
The company installed the first jet mill<br />
for micronised talc in Asia.<br />
97<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong>’s Incorporation.<br />
Liaoning <strong>AIHAI</strong> talc Co., Ltd was established<br />
almost 50 years after the company‘s early<br />
beginnings and took over operations from<br />
Haicheng Mining Company.<br />
2016<br />
Major Steps Towards Global Leadership.<br />
Several branches have been set up in Guangdong,<br />
Beijing, Shanghai, Europe and Southeast Asia<br />
2020<br />
Austria Is Just The Beginning.<br />
The European headquarters in<br />
Traboch, Austria opened their<br />
doors in 2020.<br />
23
<strong>AIHAI</strong> MINERALS EUROPE GMBH<br />
<strong>AIHAI</strong>TALC.COM