3-096-430 - Ware in the World/Heritage Images

China clay mines near Bodmin, Cornwall, c1955. China clay, or kaolin, is an important raw material in many industries and applications. In 2009, up to 70% of kaolin was used in the production of paper. Following reduced demand from the paper industry, resulting from both competing minerals and the effect of digital media, in 2016 the market share was reported to be: paper, 36%; ceramics, 31%; paint, 7% and other, 26%.