From Quarry to Industry: A Critical Review and Experimental Case Study of Micronized Calcite Production from Marble Waste

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

This study investigates the valorization of marble waste in Turkey as a high-purity calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) source for industrial applications. Marble, with its limestone-like composition, offers potential to replace natural calcite in paper, plastics, paints, adhesives, and cosmetics. The research emphasizes severe environmental impacts of marble waste—groundwater contamination, air pollution, and land degradation—and highlights EU policies promoting recycling and resource efficiency. In Turkey, nearly 70% of quarried marble becomes waste, stressing the need for sustainable solutions. Traditionally, such waste is used in low-value applications like aggregates or cement, while micronized, high-purity calcite production remains underexplored. Samples from a processing facility in Eskişehir showed 98.93% CaCO₃ content, confirming suitability as a commercial calcite substitute. Micronized calcite production was tested with a laboratory-scale vertical stirred mill, assessing effects of grinding time (15–600 seconds), rotational speed (360–1440 rpm), and filling ratio (60-140%) on particle size. Results indicated that higher speeds and longer grinding achieved finer particles (d₅₀ of 9.6 µm after 300 seconds). However, grinding beyond 180 seconds caused agglomeration and reduced efficiency due to heat, while excessive speeds increased equipment wear. The study suggests using dispersants to mitigate agglomeration and improve performance. Overall, this research demonstrates marble waste can be transformed into a valuable industrial resource, combining chemical characterization and grinding optimization. It offers recommendations for industry and policymakers to support recycling and circular economy practices.