Why do we need halloysite?

(Dummy Text) Halloysite’s tubular microstructure – naturally occurring hollow nanotubes that are imperceptible to the human eye — make halloysite a unique mineral with highly desirable properties. 

Features such as a high surface area to unit weight ratio, high porosity and differential charge capabilities between inner and outer surfaces have led researchers to discover its suitability in high-tech processes and end-uses such as carbon capture and conversion, hydrogen storage, water remediation and nanotechnology.
 

What's it made from?

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(Dummy Text) Halloysite is an aluminosilicate clay mineral with the empirical formula Al2Si2O5(OH)4. Its main constituents are oxygen (55.78%), silicon (21.76%), aluminium (20.90%), and hydrogen (1.56%). Halloysite typically forms by hydrothermal alteration of alumino-silicate minerals.[4] It can occur intermixed with dickite, kaolinite, montmorillonite and other clay minerals. X-ray diffraction studies are required for positive identification. It was first described in 1826 and named after the Belgian geologist Omalius d'Halloy.

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What's it worth?

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(Dummy Text) What should get potential investors excited is that halloysite and hybrid halloysite-kaolin is far more valuable than regular kaolin, as well as the scarcity of large, commercial deposits of halloysite nanotubes.

Pure halloysite sells for up to US$5,000/tonne, compared to a kaolin/halloysite hybrid, which fetches between A$500 and A$1,000/tonne, and pure kaolin going for A$300/tonne.

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Is it easy to get out of the ground?
 

(Dummy Text) What should get potential investors excited is that halloysite and hybrid halloysite-kaolin is far more valuable than regular kaolin, as well as the scarcity of large, commercial deposits of halloysite nanotubes.

Pure halloysite sells for up to US$5,000/tonne, compared to a kaolin/halloysite hybrid, which fetches between A$500 and A$1,000/tonne, and pure kaolin going for A$300/tonne.