Top 10 Companies in the Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Performance and Sustainability

In Business Insights
November 26, 2025


The Global Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) Market was valued at USD 21.5 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 30.8 Billion by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during the forecast period (2023–2028). This robust growth is fueled by escalating demand from the paper, plastics, paints, and coatings industries, driven by the material’s superior properties such as brightness, opacity, and cost-effectiveness as a functional filler and extender.

As industries worldwide pivot towards sustainable and high-performance materials, ultrafine GCC has emerged as a critical ingredient. Its ability to enhance product quality while reducing reliance on more expensive raw materials places it at the forefront of industrial innovation. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate Industry—global giants and specialized producers who are shaping the supply chain and technological advancements of this essential mineral.

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Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. Imerys

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: High-purity ultrafine GCC, surface-treated grades, specialty carbonates

Imerys is a world leader in mineral-based specialties, with a dominant position in the GCC market. The company’s extensive portfolio includes a wide range of ultrafine GCC products tailored for demanding applications in plastics, paints, adhesives, and paper. Their global production network and strong R&D focus ensure consistent quality and innovative solutions.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of surface-modified GCC for improved polymer compatibility
  • Commitment to carbon neutrality across operations by 2050
  • Investment in water recycling and energy-efficient grinding technologies

9️⃣ 2. Omya AG

Headquarters: Oftringen, Switzerland
Key Offering: Omyacarb® (ultrafine GCC), Omyalite® (paper coating grades)

Omya AG is a global producer of industrial minerals, notably ground calcium carbonate and dolomite. With over 170 plants worldwide, Omya is a key supplier to the paper, plastic, and paint industries. Their Omyacarb® range is renowned for its narrow particle size distribution and high brightness.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering dry and wet grinding technologies for ultrafine particles
  • “Omya Sustainable Solutions” program focusing on circular economy principles
  • Partnerships with customers to develop lightweight and recyclable composites

8️⃣ 3. Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI)

Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
Key Offering: Specialty Minerals GCC, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), filmLink®

Minerals Technologies is a major player, producing both ground and precipitated calcium carbonate. While renowned for PCC, its GCC division supplies high-quality filler and extender grades to various industries. The company’s technical expertise allows it to provide customized solutions for specific customer needs.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Co-development of functional fillers for bio-based polymers
  • Focus on reducing the carbon footprint of mineral processing
  • Advanced particle size control for enhanced performance in thin films

Download FREE Sample Report:
Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. J.M. Huber Corporation

Headquarters: Edison, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: HuberCarb® GCC, HuberQuest® surface-treated GCC

Huber’s Engineered Materials division is a leading supplier of calcium carbonate products in North America and globally. Their HuberCarb® and HuberQuest® lines are specifically engineered to improve processing, mechanical properties, and surface finish in plastics, adhesives, and sealants.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Leadership in surface treatment technologies for optimal dispersion
  • Sustainable mining and land reclamation practices
  • Products designed to improve recyclability of plastic products

6️⃣ 5. Lhoist Group

Headquarters: Nivelles, Belgium
Key Offering: Calcitec®, Socal® GCC, high-calcium lime derivatives

The Lhoist Group is a global leader in lime, dolime, and minerals. While its core is lime, it is a significant producer of high-quality GCC. The company’s vertical integration, from mining to processing, ensures control over the quality and consistency of its calcium carbonate products.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of GCC for environmental applications (e.g., flue gas desulfurization)
  • Focus on energy efficiency in calcination and grinding processes
  • Global R&D centers dedicated to application development

5️⃣ 6. Mississippi Lime Company

Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Key Offering: Super-fine GCC, hydrated lime, quicklime

As one of the largest lime producers in the United States, Mississippi Lime Company also offers a comprehensive range of GCC products. Its strategic location and large-scale production facilities make it a key supplier to the North American market, particularly for industrial and construction applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of high-value, fine-grind product lines
  • Investment in dust control and emission reduction technologies
  • Supply chain optimization for reduced logistical footprint

4️⃣ 7. Okutama Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Whiton™ GCC, specialty calcium carbonates for Asia-Pacific markets

Okutama Kogyo is a leading Japanese manufacturer of quicklime, hydrated lime, and GCC. The company has a strong presence in the Asian market, supplying high-purity limestone products to the paper, plastic, and rubber industries with a focus on technical service and product consistency.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of ultra-white GCC grades for high-end applications
  • Adherence to stringent Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)
  • Initiatives for waste reduction and resource efficiency

3️⃣ 8. Nordkalk Corporation

Headquarters: Pargas, Finland
Key Offering: Nordic GCC, limestone-based products for various industries

Nordkalk is a leading Nordic supplier of limestone-based products, serving a wide range of industries from steel to environmental solutions. Its GCC products are known for their quality, derived from some of the purest limestone deposits in Northern Europe.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expertise in producing GCC for acid-neutralizing applications
  • Strong focus on maritime logistics and supply chain efficiency in the Baltic region
  • Long-term sustainability planning for quarry operations

Download FREE Sample Report:
Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 9. Carmeuse

Headquarters: Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Key Offering: Calcium carbonate fillers, high-calcium lime

Carmeuse is a global manufacturer of lime and limestone products with operations in Europe and North America. The company produces GCC that serves as functional fillers in construction materials, plastics, and chemical processes, leveraging its extensive mining and processing expertise.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of value-added lime and limestone solutions
  • Leadership in technologies for carbon capture and utilization (CCU)
  • Commitment to biodiversity management around mining sites

1️⃣ 10. Shiraishi Central Laboratories (Group)

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: High-purity ultrafine GCC, surface-coated grades

Shiraishi is a major Japanese specialty chemical company with a strong focus on calcium carbonate. It is renowned for its high-quality, ultrafine products used extensively in the paper coating, plastic film, and pharmaceutical industries. The company places a strong emphasis on R&D and customization.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Specialization in nano-grade and surface-modified calcium carbonate
  • Development of products for biodegradable plastics and green composites
  • Continuous improvement in production efficiency and environmental performance

Get Full Report Here:
Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Ultrafine GCC is High-Value and Eco-Conscious

The ultrafine ground calcium carbonate market is experiencing a significant evolution. While traditional applications in paper and plastics continue to drive volume, the industry is increasingly focused on specialty, high-performance grades that enable lighter, stronger, and more sustainable end-products.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising demand for ultrafine GCC as a TiO2 extender in paints and plastics due to cost and supply chain pressures
  • Growing adoption in plastic films and packaging to improve stiffness, opacity, and biodegradability
  • Increasing stringency of environmental regulations pushing for sustainable and low-VOC material formulations
  • Technological advancements in grinding and classification leading to more precise particle size control and new applications

Get Full Report Here:
Ultrafine Ground Calcium Carbonate Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a fundamental industrial mineral—they are enabling the next generation of material innovation across countless industries.