Top 10 Companies in the Smectite Clays Industry (2022): Market Leaders Driving Global Industrial Applications

In Business Insights
December 22, 2025


The Global Smectite Clays Market was valued at USD 1.27 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach a revised size by 2027, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.73% from 2021 to 2027. This robust growth is primarily driven by increasing demand from key end-use industries such as foundry molding sands, iron ore pelletizing, and drilling mud, alongside expanding applications in civil engineering and agriculture. The market’s resilience post-COVID-19 underscores its critical role in global industrial supply chains.

As industries worldwide prioritize material efficiency and environmental sustainability, the focus intensifies on the key mineral suppliers who are driving innovation and ensuring a stable supply of these versatile clays. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Smectite Clays Industry, featuring a mix of global giants and specialized producers that are shaping the market landscape.

Download FREE Sample Report: 2022 Global Smectite Clays Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. Minerals Technologies Inc. (Amcol)

Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
Key Offering: Volclay® Sodium Bentonite, Specialty Minerals

Minerals Technologies, through its Amcol division, is a dominant global leader in bentonite production. The company’s Volclay® products are industry standards for performance in foundry, civil engineering, and iron ore pelletizing applications. Their extensive R&D focuses on developing high-performance mineral-based solutions.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Leading global market share in specialty bentonites

  • Continuous product development for environmental and industrial applications

  • Strategic global production footprint ensuring supply chain reliability


9️⃣ 2. Clariant

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Bentonite-based Additives, Functional Minerals

Clariant is a major global player in specialty chemicals, with a significant footprint in functional minerals including smectite clays. Their bentonite products are essential for sectors like paints, coatings, and drilling fluids, where rheological control is critical.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Focus on high-value, performance-driven bentonite applications

  • Strong R&D capabilities for tailored solutions in diverse industries


8️⃣ 3. Bentonite Performance Minerals LLC (BPM)

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Aquagel® Gold Seal® Bentonite, Specialty Clays

BPM is a leading North American producer of sodium bentonite, renowned for its high-quality products used extensively in drilling mud, foundry, and iron ore pelletizing. The company operates some of the largest bentonite reserves in the United States.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Key supplier to the oil & gas and metal casting industries

  • Vertically integrated operations from mining to processing


7️⃣ 4. Imerys (S&B)

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Bentonite, Absorbent Clays, Functional Additives

Imerys, following its acquisition of S&B, has become a powerhouse in industrial minerals, including a comprehensive portfolio of bentonite products. The company serves a wide array of markets from construction and ceramics to pet care and environmental solutions.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Extensive European and global production network

  • Strong focus on sustainable and circular economy applications

Download FREE Sample Report: 2022 Global Smectite Clays Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Elementis plc

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Bentonite-based Rheological Additives

Elementis is a global specialty chemicals company with a strong presence in rheology modifiers, including organoclays derived from bentonite. Their products are critical for achieving desired viscosity and stability in paints, coatings, and personal care products.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Leadership in high-performance organoclay technology

  • Focus on innovation for eco-friendly and high-performance formulations


5️⃣ 6. Ashapura Group

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Bentonite, Fuller’s Earth, Bauxite

Ashapura is one of India’s largest producers and exporters of bentonite and other industrial minerals. The company has a significant market presence in Asia and the Middle East, supplying key industries such as foundry, drilling, and ceramics.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Major bentonite reserves and production capacity in India

  • Diversified product portfolio catering to multiple industrial sectors


4️⃣ 7. LKAB Minerals

Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Key Offering: Bentonite, Olivine, Industrial Minerals

LKAB Minerals, a subsidiary of the Swedish mining company LKAB, is a significant European supplier of bentonite. The company leverages its expertise in mineral processing to deliver high-quality products for construction, environmental, and industrial applications.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Strong focus on sustainable mining and processing practices

  • Specialization in minerals for construction and infrastructure


3️⃣ 8. Wyo-Ben Inc

Headquarters: Billings, Montana, USA
Key Offering: Bentonite Clay, Barite, Specialty Minerals

Wyo-Ben is a family-owned American company with over 70 years of experience in mining and processing bentonite. The company is a key supplier to the drilling fluids industry and offers a range of products for civil engineering and environmental markets.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Established reputation in the North American oilfield services sector

  • Commitment to quality and customer-specific solutions


2️⃣ 9. Tolsa Group

Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
Key Offering: Bentonite, Attapulgite, Diatomite

Tolsa is a leading Spanish company specializing in the mining, manufacturing, and marketing of industrial minerals. Its bentonite products are used in diverse applications, including pet litter, absorbents, and specialty industrial uses.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Global leader in absorbent minerals for pet care

  • Strong international distribution network


1️⃣ 10. Laviosa Minerals SpA

Headquarters: Livorno, Italy
Key Offering: Bentonite, Fuller’s Earth, Specialty Clays

Laviosa Minerals is a major Italian producer of bentonite and other clays, with a long history of supplying the European market. The company is known for its high-quality products for foundry, drilling, and environmental applications.

Innovation & Market Position:

  • Strong regional presence in Southern Europe

  • Focus on technical support and customized mineral solutions

Get Full Report Here: 2022 Global Smectite Clays Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Smectite Clays Is Driven by Sustainability and Innovation

The smectite clays market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional applications in foundry and drilling remain vital, the industry is increasingly driven by sustainability mandates and the development of high-value applications in environmental remediation and advanced materials.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Growing demand for environmentally friendly binders in construction and civil engineering

  • Expansion of iron ore pelletizing activities to support steel production

  • Increasing use of bentonite in geosynthetic clay liners for landfill containment

  • R&D into modified clays for advanced composites and nano-applications

Get Full Report Here: 2022 Global Smectite Clays Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled are not only supplying essential raw materials—they are at the forefront of developing the next generation of mineral-based solutions that support industrial growth and environmental stewardship.