Abstract
Industrial minerals, essentially based on the natural resources of the earth's crust, are used in a wide range of applications where their bulk or surface properties are put to good use. Industrial minerals are often used in large volumes, without major modifications to their initial properties. However, modifications to their bulk and, above all, surface properties can be used to broaden the scope of their applications, while increasing their added value. These aspects will be particularly illustrated in the case of clay minerals and materials, which have multiple uses. Last but not least, recent advances in clay synthesis have made it possible to develop highly technical clays with fully controlled upstream properties.
