Premium Perlite Supplier and Wholesaler

What Is Perlite?

What is Perlite? Perlite is an extremely versatile inorganic mineral that once expanded is used extensively world wide for many different applications. Perlite is a natural occurring mineral in the form of siliceous rock, Perlite ore is found world wide with the best mines located in North America, Greece, Turkey, China and Northern Australia. When the perlite ore is heated at approximately 850⁰-900⁰C it expands up to 20 times its original volume, unlike many other volcanic glasses, making it perfect for use as perlite insulation. This expansion is caused by water that has been trapped within the ore (approximately 4% water content is trapped within the perlite ore) and the water is boiled off when evaporation occurs causing the ore to expand to its particular size. This process is much likened to the making of popcorn in your microwave (yet at a much higher temperature). In the expansion phase, the perlite ore changes from dark shades of black and grey to fluorescent, pearly white shades.

Perlite is a volcanic glass that’s prized in horticulture for its ability to aerate soil and improve drainage. It’s frequently juxtaposed with another gardening favourite: vermiculite. Though they’re commonly used interchangeably, each has its distinct advantages and applications. To get a clearer understanding of their contrasts and to determine which might be better suited for your garden, explore our comprehensive comparison in the article titled ‘Vermiculite vs. Perlite‘.

Where can i buy Perlite in Australia?

Exfoliators are the leading manufacturer of premium perlite Australia and currently source perlite from an Australian based mine in Northern Australia. The perlite from this mine is of supreme quality after comparison with world wide samples, its expansion abilities along with other benefits significantly out weigh many other global supplies. Exfoliators Premium Perlite brand is completely sterile and pH neutral, rendering it harmless to your plants and animals and great for perlite insulation purposes. Exfoliators Premium Perlite is extremely lightweight with a low bulk density of 50kg/m₃-75kg/m₃, which when compared to its original weight of 1100kg/m₃ then makes it a fantastic product to be used in many diverse applications. The water holding capacity of Exfoliators Premium Perlite will vary from grade to grade (in relation to the specific density of each grade), this is beneficial as some applications of Exfoliators Premium Perlite will require a high water-holding capacity as their major feature, some will require aeration benefits over a comparatively low water holding capacity and some applications will require no liquid retention at all.

Exfoliators’ Premium Perlite Australia can be manufactured to meet various application requirements, yet as a guide we currently manufacture 6 grades of Exfoliators Premium Perlite:

  • Super Coarse (jumbo)
  • Coarse
  • Medium
  • Fine
  • Superfine
  • Ultrafine

Exfoliators Premium Perlite is also offered as treated, meaning it will not absorb liquid of any sort, making it perfect for use as a Lite Fill, our grades of Exfoliators Premium Lite Fill Perlite are:

  • Fine Lite Fill
  • Superfine Lite Fill

Exfoliators also manufacture four grades of Premium Perlite Filter Aid, these four grades are:

  • EXF 20
  • EXF 40
  • EXF 60
  • EXF 70

The uses, benefits and further information of these various grades of Exfoliators Premium Perlite can be found in their specific areas:

Contact Exfoliators

Alternatively for further information, please contact one of our friendly sales staff to find a product that will suit your needs at (03) 9706 6049 or via email at [email protected].

For a Data Sheet on Premium Perlite Australia please:

Download the PDF

For a Chemical Analysis please:

Download the PDF