Keyway Industrial Limited

Diatomaceous earth (DE), diatomite or kieselgur/kieselguhr is a natural, soft and siliceous substance
sedimentary rock that is easily disintegrated into a fine, white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 3 μm to more than 1 mm, but typically from 10 to 200 μm. Depending on the granularity, this powder can have an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and have a low density due to its high porosity.
The typical chemical composition of kiln-dried diatomaceous earth is 80–90% silica, with 2–4% alumina (mainly attributed to clay minerals) and 0.5–2% iron oxide. Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled protist.

It is used as a filtration aid, mild abrasive in products such as metal polishes and toothpaste, mechanical insecticide, absorbent for liquids, matting agent for coatings, reinforcement filler in plastics and rubber, anti-blocking in plastic films, porous support for chemical catalysts, cat litter, activator in blood clotting studies, a stabilizing component of dynamite, a thermal insulator and a soil for potted plants and trees such as bonsai.