The Global Bleaching Clay Market was valued at USD 1.2 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This growth is being driven by rising demand for edible oils and fats in the food industry, expanding applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and the increasing need for high-purity mineral oils in industrial sectors, particularly as global consumption patterns shift toward processed foods and sustainable refining processes.

As the refining sector advances toward more efficient purification methods and eco-friendly practices, the attention turns to the leading producers of bleaching clay who are innovating in adsorption technologies, sustainable sourcing, and customized solutions. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Bleaching Clay Industry—a blend of mineral specialists, chemical conglomerates, and dedicated processors influencing the trajectory of global oil and fat refinement.

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🔟 1. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: Activated Clays, Natural Bleaching Earth, Specialty Adsorbents

Clariant AG stands as a global powerhouse in specialty chemicals, with its bleaching earth products widely used in the edible oil refining process to remove impurities, colors, and odors. The company’s advanced activated clays are engineered for high efficiency in batch and continuous refining systems, serving major food processors and biofuel producers. Through ongoing R&D, Clariant enhances clay performance to meet stringent purity standards, ensuring minimal oil loss during bleaching.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of recyclable bleaching agents to reduce waste in refining operations

• Partnerships with oil mills for closed-loop water systems in clay processing

• Commitment to carbon-neutral production sites by 2030 through renewable energy adoption

Clariant’s focus on innovation has positioned it as a preferred supplier in Europe and Asia, where demand for refined vegetable oils is surging. Their products not only improve yield rates but also align with regulatory pressures for cleaner refining. For instance, in palm oil processing—a key application—Clariant’s clays achieve up to 95% color removal without compromising nutritional value. This reliability has earned them long-term contracts with multinational food companies, underscoring their role in the market’s expansion.

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9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Acid-Activated Clays, Fuller’s Earth Variants, Industrial Adsorbents

BASF SE, the world’s largest chemical producer, offers a comprehensive range of bleaching clays tailored for mineral oil and petrochemical applications. Their products excel in decolorizing and purifying base oils, waxes, and lubricants, supporting industries from automotive to cosmetics. BASF’s integrated supply chain ensures consistent quality, with clays optimized for high-temperature stability and low free fatty acid retention.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investment in bio-based activation processes to lower environmental impact

• Collaboration with refineries to minimize clay disposal through regeneration techniques

With operations spanning over 80 countries, BASF delivers bleaching solutions that address the growing need for sustainable mineral oil refining. Their Fuller’s Earth grades, in particular, are popular for animal fat processing in the biodiesel sector, where efficiency directly impacts fuel quality. BASF’s emphasis on customization allows clients to achieve precise bleaching levels, reducing operational costs by up to 15% in some cases. As emerging economies ramp up industrial oil production, BASF’s scalable solutions are pivotal in meeting this demand without compromising on eco-standards.

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8️⃣ 3. Oil-Dri Corporation of America

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Natural Attapulgite Clays, Activated Bleaching Earth, Agricultural Absorbents

Oil-Dri Corporation specializes in high-quality natural clays sourced from its own deposits, providing bleaching earth that is highly effective for vegetable oil refinement. Their products are renowned for superior adsorption capacity, making them ideal for removing gums, pigments, and trace metals in soybean, sunflower, and canola oils. The company’s commitment to purity ensures compliance with food-grade standards worldwide.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Sustainable mining practices with land reclamation programs in mining areas

• Development of low-dust formulations to improve worker safety and reduce emissions

Oil-Dri’s bleaching clays are processed to enhance surface area, allowing for shorter contact times in refining cycles, which translates to energy savings for processors. In North America, where edible oil consumption is high, Oil-Dri holds a significant market share, supplying major brands in the food sector. Their innovations, such as hybrid clay blends, cater to the rising trend of organic and non-GMO oils, ensuring natural purification without synthetic additives. This positions them strongly as the market shifts toward health-conscious refining.

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7️⃣ 4. AMC (UK) Ltd

Headquarters: Blackburn, United Kingdom
Key Offering: TONSIL Bleaching Earths, Activated Clays for Edible Oils

AMC (UK) Ltd is a dedicated producer of premium bleaching earths, primarily used in the purification of edible oils and fats. Their TONSIL range offers high selectivity for color and contaminant removal, serving the global food and beverage industry. With a focus on European standards, AMC’s clays are formulated to handle diverse feedstocks, from crude palm to high-oleic sunflower oils.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Goal to achieve 20% reduction in energy use per ton of clay by 2025

• Initiatives for spent clay recycling in partnership with waste management firms

AMC’s expertise lies in optimizing clay performance for semi-continuous refining, where efficiency is critical for large-scale operations. Their products are exported to over 50 countries, supporting the booming Asian edible oil market. By integrating advanced activation techniques, AMC ensures clays that not only purify but also preserve oil stability, extending shelf life for end products. As regulatory bodies push for lower pesticide residues in oils, AMC’s low-residue clays provide a competitive edge, fostering growth in premium food segments.

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6️⃣ 5. Imerys SA (AMCOL Specialty Minerals)

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Calcined Clays, Bentonite-Based Bleachers, Fuller’s Earth

Imerys SA, through its AMCOL Specialty Minerals division, leads in mineral-based solutions, including bleaching clays for industrial and edible oil applications. Their bentonite-derived products offer exceptional decolorization, particularly for animal fats and waxes used in cosmetics. Imerys’ global network ensures reliable supply for high-volume refining needs.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Certified sustainable sourcing from responsibly managed deposits

• Programs to repurpose mining byproducts into value-added materials

Following the acquisition of AMCOL, Imerys has expanded its portfolio to include hybrid adsorbents that combine clay with other minerals for enhanced performance. This is particularly relevant in the mineral oil sector, where purity affects lubricant efficacy. Imerys’ clays are designed for easy filtration, reducing downtime in refining plants. In regions like Southeast Asia, where palm oil dominates, their solutions help processors meet export quality norms, contributing to market stability amid fluctuating raw material prices.

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5️⃣ 6. Manek Minerals

Headquarters: Vadodara, India
Key Offering: Acidic Activated Clay, Natural Fuller’s Earth, Export-Grade Bleachers

Manek Minerals is a prominent Indian producer specializing in cost-effective bleaching clays for vegetable and mineral oil refining. Their activated products are tailored for the domestic market’s vast edible oil industry, providing high bleaching efficiency at competitive prices. The company’s focus on local sourcing reduces logistics costs, making it a key player in South Asia.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Adoption of water-efficient processing to conserve resources in arid regions

• Community-driven reforestation around mining sites

Manek’s clays are optimized for tropical oils like coconut and palm, where high FFA content requires robust adsorption. Their expansion into international markets, including the Middle East, reflects the growing demand for affordable purification solutions. By emphasizing quality control, Manek ensures clays that meet ISO standards, appealing to exporters facing strict import regulations. This strategic positioning supports the market’s growth in emerging economies, where industrialization drives oil consumption.

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4️⃣ 7. HRP Industries

Headquarters: Nagpur, India
Key Offering: Granular Bleaching Earth, Powdered Activated Clays, Custom Blends

HRP Industries excels in manufacturing versatile bleaching clays suitable for both industrial oils and animal fats. Their granular forms facilitate easier handling and regeneration, ideal for continuous processing lines. HRP’s products are widely used in India’s burgeoning biofuel sector, aiding in the purification of feedstocks for sustainable fuels.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Research into biodegradable clay alternatives for eco-sensitive applications

• Energy audits to cut production emissions by 10% annually

With a strong foothold in Asia, HRP supplies clays that balance performance and cost, enabling small to medium refineries to compete globally. Their custom blends address specific challenges like heavy metal removal in recycled oils, promoting circular economy practices. As the demand for plant-based foods rises, HRP’s innovations in gentle bleaching preserve bioactive compounds, aligning with consumer health trends and bolstering market penetration.

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3️⃣ 8. Refoil Earth Pvt. Ltd

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: High-Performance Activated Clay, Fuller’s Earth for Cosmetics, Industrial Grades

Refoil Earth Pvt. Ltd focuses on premium bleaching solutions for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors, where ultra-purity is essential. Their clays effectively remove impurities from mineral oils and waxes used in ointments and lotions. The company’s emphasis on R&D ensures products that comply with GMP standards.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Zero-waste clay processing through complete material utilization

• Partnerships for upcycling spent clay into construction materials

Refoil’s offerings extend to vegetable oil refining, supporting the clean-label movement by minimizing chemical residues. In the Middle East and Africa, their export-grade clays meet the needs of growing personal care industries. By innovating in nano-activated variants, Refoil enhances adsorption rates, allowing for lower usage volumes and reduced environmental footprint. This efficiency is crucial as global regulations tighten on cosmetic ingredients.

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2️⃣ 9. Musim Mas Group

Headquarters: Singapore
Key Offering: Specialized Bleaching Clays for Palm Oil, Activated Earth Blends

Musim Mas, a leading palm oil producer, also supplies integrated bleaching clay solutions for its refining operations, extending to external clients. Their clays are optimized for high-bleachability in palm and lauric oils, achieving superior color stability. This vertical integration provides unmatched consistency in the supply chain.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• RSPO-certified sourcing to promote ethical palm oil practices

• Investments in regenerative agriculture to offset clay mining impacts

As Southeast Asia’s palm oil hub, Musim Mas’ clays are vital for meeting export demands from Europe and North America. Their blends reduce bleaching time by 20%, enhancing refinery throughput. With a focus on traceability, Musim Mas ensures sustainable practices from mine to market, appealing to brands committed to deforestation-free supply chains. This holistic approach drives their leadership in the region’s refining landscape.

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1️⃣ 10. W.R. Grace & Co.

Headquarters: Columbia, Maryland, USA
Key Offering: Advanced Adsorbents, Silica-Based Clays, Full-Spectrum Bleachers

W.R. Grace & Co. tops the list with its cutting-edge bleaching technologies, including hybrid silica-clay composites for superior purification in edible and industrial oils. Their products serve diverse applications, from food-grade fats to high-performance lubricants, with a reputation for innovation in adsorption science.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Patented regeneration processes to extend clay lifecycle by 50%

• Global programs for reducing water usage in clay activation

Grace’s global presence and technical expertise make it a go-to for complex refining challenges, such as purifying high-IVA oils. Their adsorbents minimize soap formation, improving downstream processing efficiency. In a market projected to grow with biofuel mandates, Grace’s solutions support cleaner fuel production. By prioritizing R&D, they continue to set benchmarks, ensuring the bleaching clay sector’s evolution toward sustainability and precision.

Get Full Report Here: Bleaching Clay Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Bleaching Clay Is Sustainable and Efficient

The bleaching clay market is experiencing significant transformation. While traditional natural clays remain dominant, the sector is channeling substantial investments into activated and hybrid variants, eco-friendly processing, and recycling infrastructures to address environmental concerns and rising purity demands.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rapid adoption of acid-activated and nano-enhanced clays in Asia-Pacific for higher efficiency in palm and soy refining

• Regulatory mandates for sustainable sourcing and waste minimization by 2030, influencing 30% of global production

• Digital tools for optimizing clay usage, including AI-driven dosage predictions to reduce over-bleaching

• Strategic alliances between clay producers and oil majors to integrate purification into end-to-end supply chains

Get Full Report Here: Bleaching Clay Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only purifying global oils and fats—they’re leading the sustainable refinement revolution in essential industries.