Three activity levels
Standard, high-activity and low free acid grades let refiners match clay activity to crude quality instead of over-dosing a single product.
Industrial Mineral
Bleaching Earth — Manufacturer & Exporter from India
Acid-activated clay for decolourising and purifying edible oils, mineral oils and waxes, available in standard, high-activity and low free acid grades.
PowderActivated Powder
ISO 9001 certified processes
NABL-accredited lab testing
CoA, TDS & MSDS with every shipment
Export packaging worldwide
Overview
What is Bleaching Earth?
Bleaching earth is an acid-activated clay used to remove colour bodies and impurities from oils, fats and waxes. It is produced from bentonite or calcium-rich smectite clay that is treated with sulphuric acid under controlled conditions. Activation opens the layered clay structure, increases specific surface area and creates acidic adsorption sites, typically giving an activated surface area above 200 m²/g.
During bleaching, the clay is mixed into hot oil, usually under vacuum, and then filtered out. Its surface adsorbs chlorophyll, carotenoids and other pigments, together with traces of soap, phospholipids, metals and oxidation products that would harm flavour, colour stability and shelf life. The cleaner the oil leaves the bleacher, the easier deodorisation and downstream processing become.
Performance depends on the crude oil, so grade choice matters. Palm oil refiners need strong carotenoid and oxidation-product removal, while soybean and sunflower refiners often focus on chlorophyll and soap traces. Rice bran oil places its own demands on bleaching. Mineral oil and wax refiners need a clay that handles higher process temperatures and darker feedstocks. Low residual oil retention in the spent cake also matters, since every percentage point of oil left behind is product lost.
Obsidian Minerals manufactures bleaching earth in Gujarat, India, under ISO 9001 certified processes. Activity, free acidity, moisture and particle size are tested in an NABL-accredited laboratory, and each shipment is supplied with an SDS, Technical Data Sheet and batch Certificate of Analysis. We offer three grades and can run comparative bleaching trials on a customer's own crude oil sample. Refiners using the product for edible oils should verify suitability against the food regulations that apply in their market.
Bleaching Earth grades
Select a grade for its typical properties, applications, usage guidance and FAQs.
Bleaching Earth
Standard Bleaching Earth
An acid-activated clay for routine edible oil bleaching, balancing colour removal, filtration rate and oil retention.
Edible Oil Refining Bleaching EarthHigh Activity Grade
A more strongly activated clay for dark crudes, mineral oils and waxes where standard grades need excessive dosage.
Mineral Oil Purification Bleaching EarthLow Free Acid Grade
An activated clay with low residual acidity for oils that must be bleached without raising free fatty acids.
Specialty Oils| Grade | Specification | Primary use | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Bleaching Earth | On TDS | Edible Oil Refining | Specs |
| High Activity Bleaching Earth | On TDS | Mineral Oil Purification | Specs |
| Low Free Acid Bleaching Earth | On TDS | Specialty Oils | Specs |
From deposit to dispatch
- 01
Selective mining of smectite clay
- 02
Slurrying and acid activation
- 03
Washing and filtration
- 04
Drying and milling to size
- 05
Activity testing and packing
Why source Bleaching Earth from Obsidian Minerals
Trials on your crude oil
Our laboratory can compare grades on a sample of your own crude, giving a practical basis for selecting grade and dosage.
Batch-level documentation
Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis from NABL-accredited testing, supporting incoming QC at the refinery.
Where Bleaching Earth is used
Bleaching Earth — frequently asked questions
What is bleaching earth used for?
Bleaching earth is used to decolourise and purify edible oils and fats, such as palm, soybean, sunflower and rice bran oil, and to refine mineral oils, lubricating base oils and waxes. It adsorbs pigments, soap traces, metals and oxidation products, improving colour, stability and the efficiency of later refining stages.
What is the difference between natural and activated bleaching earth?
Natural bleaching clays, sometimes called Fuller's earth, are used after simple drying and milling. Activated bleaching earth is treated with acid, which increases surface area and creates acidic sites that adsorb pigments more strongly. Activated grades usually achieve the same colour reduction at a lower dosage, which also reduces oil losses in the spent cake.
How much bleaching earth is needed per tonne of oil?
Dosage depends on the crude oil and the colour target. Edible oil refiners commonly use about 0.5–2.0 % of oil weight, with palm oil usually towards the higher end. Mineral oils and waxes may need more. A laboratory bleaching trial on your crude oil is the most reliable way to set the starting dosage.
Which bleaching earth grade should I choose?
Standard Bleaching Earth suits most edible oil refining. High Activity Grade is intended for difficult crudes, mineral oils and waxes, where stronger adsorption is needed. Low Free Acid Grade is for oils that are sensitive to free fatty acid rise or acid-catalysed side reactions. We can compare grades on your oil before you commit.
Is your bleaching earth suitable for edible oil refining?
Our bleaching earth is used in edible oil refining, and the SDS, Technical Data Sheet and batch CoA are supplied with every shipment. Requirements for processing aids differ between countries, so refiners should verify suitability against the regulations in their market. We can provide the documentation needed for that review.
How do I get a bleaching earth sample or quotation?
Share your oil type, current clay dosage, colour targets and expected monthly volume. We will recommend a grade, send the Technical Data Sheet and dispatch a sample. If you can send a crude oil sample, our laboratory can also run a comparative bleaching test. Pricing is quoted once the grade is agreed.
What packaging options are available for Bleaching Earth?
Standard export packing is 25 kg or 50 kg HDPE / paper bags and 1 MT or 1.2 MT jumbo (FIBC) bags, palletised and shrink-wrapped on request. Custom and private-label packaging can be arranged for volume orders.
Do you provide MSDS and technical datasheets?
Yes. A Technical Data Sheet and MSDS are available for every grade, and each shipment is accompanied by a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Request a quote
Interested in Bleaching Earth?
Tell us your application, preferred grade and volume. Our engineering team will recommend the right grade and send a datasheet, sample and quotation.
- Technical Data Sheet & MSDS
- Samples for qualification trials
- Bulk and recurring supply pricing