Comprised of a portfolio of bentonite and synthetic additives, our specialty materials group offers high-value,proprietary solutions for consumer and industrial end-markets. A significant portion of our research and development expenditures are devoted to advancing technologies included in the specialty materials portfolio. Examples of the technology offerings are:

     -  microparticles designed to stabilize and delivery actives used in skin care products;
     -  surface-treated bentonites that are used to soften clothes in laundry detergents;
     -  polymer-modified bentonites designed to enhance quality and yield in coated-sheet
       paper manufacturing.

A number of emerging applications are under development for human and animal health applications.