Natural Mica or Synthetic Mica ?

Natural Mica

Synthetic Mica

1. Natural mica is naturally available in parts of India (Rajasthan, Jharkhand , Bihar and Andhra Pradesh). Using Natural mica improves market demand for natural mica, with this India can move a step forward through self-reliance.India is the largest exporter of natural mica in the world.


2. Natural mica is less expensive than synthetic mica because its naturally available.

3. Mining natural mica does have environmental considerations, including habitat disruption and potential ecosystem impacts. However, the carbon footprint of natural mica is notably lower, making it more sustainable than synthetic mica.

4. Pearl pigments made from natural mica, are suitable for certain food applications, they can are used in a wide variety of products like confections, nutritional supplements, cereals, alcoholic drinks, gelatin desserts, etc.

1. Synthetic mica is manufactured artificially and is not naturally available.Most of the synthetic mica is manufactured in China or Japan, increased usage of synthetic mica would promote dependence which is not a great sign for India.

2. Synthetic pearl pigments tend to be pricier than those derived from mineral mica due to a longer, more involved production process, this makes natural mica a better option.

3. Synthetic mica is typically produced through energy-intensive industrial processes, and the raw materials involved may require significant energy inputs. This leaves more carbon footprint than mining natural mica.

4. Synthetic mica might not be considered food-grade due to the presence of certain additives or contaminants like
fluorphlogopite, or synthetic fluorine which makes it unsuitable for food pigments.