Encouragement of Ultrafine Heavy Calcium Carbonate by NDRC: Superfine Vertical Roller Mill Emerges as New Star in Production Equipment

Introduction

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has recently emphasized the strategic importance of ultrafine heavy calcium carbonate (HCC) in various industrial applications, ranging from plastics and paints to pharmaceuticals and construction materials. This encouragement aligns with China’s broader goals of industrial upgrading, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. In response, the manufacturing sector is witnessing a significant shift towards advanced production equipment capable of meeting the stringent requirements of ultrafine grinding. Among these, the superfine vertical roller mill has emerged as a pivotal technology, offering unparalleled efficiency, precision, and eco-friendliness.

The Importance of Ultrafine Heavy Calcium Carbonate

Ultrafine heavy calcium carbonate, typically defined as particles with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers, boasts enhanced properties such as higher surface area, improved dispersion, and superior mechanical strength in composite materials. These characteristics make it indispensable in high-value industries. For instance, in plastics, ultrafine HCC improves tensile strength and impact resistance; in paints, it enhances opacity and durability; and in pharmaceuticals, it serves as an essential excipient due to its biocompatibility and controlled release properties.

The NDRC’s push for ultrafine HCC is driven by several factors:

• Economic Value: Ultrafine HCC commands a higher market price compared to conventional grades, contributing to increased profitability for producers.
• Resource Efficiency: Utilizing advanced grinding technologies allows for the efficient use of limestone resources, reducing waste and maximizing output.
• Environmental Benefits: Modern mills are designed to minimize energy consumption and dust emissions, aligning with China’s carbon neutrality goals.

Challenges in Ultrafine Grinding

Producing ultrafine HCC presents several technical challenges. Traditional grinding equipment, such as ball mills or Raymond mills, often falls short in terms of energy efficiency, product uniformity, and fineness control. Key issues include:

• High Energy Consumption: Conventional mills require excessive power to achieve fine particle sizes, leading to elevated operational costs.
• Limited Fineness: Many older mills cannot consistently produce particles below 10 micrometers, restricting their application in high-end markets.
• Wear and Tear: Abrasive materials like calcium carbonate cause rapid deterioration of grinding components, increasing maintenance downtime and costs.
• Environmental Impact: Dust generation and noise pollution are common drawbacks of outdated milling systems.

The Rise of Superfine Vertical Roller Mills

In this context, superfine vertical roller mills have gained prominence as the equipment of choice for ultrafine HCC production. These mills integrate crushing, grinding, classification, and collection into a single, compact unit, offering numerous advantages over traditional solutions.

Key Advantages

• High Efficiency and Energy Savings: Vertical roller mills utilize a bed grinding principle, where particles are crushed between rollers and a rotating table. This method is significantly more energy-efficient than impact or attrition grinding, reducing power consumption by up to 30-40% compared to ball mills.
• Precision Classification: Integrated dynamic classifiers allow for precise control over particle size distribution. For example, advanced models can achieve a fineness of D97 ≤ 5μm (2500 mesh), ensuring consistent product quality.
• Durability and Low Maintenance: Critical components, such as rollers and grinding tables, are made from high-wear-resistant materials, extending service life and reducing replacement frequency. Modular designs facilitate quick maintenance, minimizing production interruptions.
• Environmental Compliance: Closed-system operation with pulse jet dust collectors ensures dust emissions remain below 20 mg/m³, while soundproofing measures keep noise levels under 80 dB(A).

Spotlight on Advanced Equipment: SCM Ultrafine Mill

Among the leading solutions in this domain, the SCM Ultrafine Mill stands out for its exceptional performance in producing ultrafine calcium carbonate. This mill is specifically engineered to handle the rigorous demands of fine and ultrafine grinding, making it an ideal choice for producers aiming to capitalize on the NDRC’s encouragement.

Core Parameters

• Input Size: ≤20mm
• Output Fineness: 325-2500 mesh (D97 ≤ 5μm)
• Processing Capacity: 0.5-25 ton/h, depending on model

Technical Strengths

• High Efficiency and Energy Savings: With twice the capacity of jet mills and 30% lower energy consumption, the SCM series leverages intelligent control systems to automatically adjust grinding parameters based on real-time feedback, ensuring optimal performance.
• High-Precision Classification: Equipped with a vertical turbo classifier, it achieves sharp particle size cuts without coarse powder contamination, resulting in uniform product quality.
• Robust Design: Specially hardened roller and ring materials prolong service life multiple times over conventional mills. The bearing-free screw grinding chamber enhances operational stability.
• Eco-Friendly Operation: Pulse dust collectors exceed international efficiency standards, and integrated soundproofing reduces noise to ≤75dB.

Working Principle

The SCM Ultrafine Mill operates via a main motor driving multiple layers of grinding rings. Material is fed into the mill and dispersed by centrifugal force into the grinding path. Rollers exert pressure to crush the material, which is progressively refined through each layer. Final product collection is handled by a cyclone separator and pulse dust removal system, ensuring high yield and purity.

Model Specifications

The SCM series offers a range of models to suit various production scales:

• SCM800: Capacity 0.5-4.5 ton/h, Main Motor Power 75kW
• SCM900: Capacity 0.8-6.5 ton/h, Main Motor Power 90kW
• SCM1000: Capacity 1.0-8.5 ton/h, Main Motor Power 132kW
• SCM1250: Capacity 2.5-14 ton/h, Main Motor Power 185kW
• SCM1680: Capacity 5.0-25 ton/h, Main Motor Power 315kW

For producers seeking to enhance their ultrafine HCC capabilities, the SCM Ultrafine Mill represents a future-proof investment that combines cutting-edge technology with operational reliability.

Another Notable Solution: MTW Series Trapezium Mill

For applications requiring slightly coarser fineness or higher throughput, the MTW Series Trapezium Mill offers a compelling alternative. This mill is designed for efficiency and versatility, handling a wide range of materials including calcium carbonate.

Core Parameters

• Input Size: ≤50mm
• Output Fineness: 30-325 mesh (up to 0.038mm)
• Processing Capacity: 3-45 ton/h, depending on model

Technical Strengths

• Wear-Resistant Shovel Design: Combined shovel blades reduce maintenance costs, while curved designs extend roller life.
• Optimized Airflow: A curved air duct minimizes energy loss and improves transmission efficiency, supported by high-strength guard plates.
• Integrated Gear Drive: Bevel gear transmission achieves 98% efficiency, saving space and installation costs.
• Durable蜗壳结构: Obstruction-free design enhances air classification efficiency and cuts maintenance costs by 30%.

Working Principle

The main motor drives grinding rollers to revolve around the central axis while rotating themselves, generating centrifugal force. Shovels抛material into the space between rollers and rings, forming a layer that is crushed under pressure. A classification system ensures precise control over final particle size.

Industry Implications and Future Outlook

The NDRC’s focus on ultrafine HCC is expected to accelerate adoption of advanced grinding technologies across China. Vertical roller mills, particularly superfine models, are poised to become the backbone of this transformation. Their ability to deliver high-quality product with minimal environmental impact aligns perfectly with national policies aimed at sustainable industrial development.

Looking ahead, ongoing innovations in mill design—such as AI-driven optimization, predictive maintenance, and even finer classification—will further enhance their capabilities. Producers who invest in these technologies today will be well-positioned to lead the market in the coming years.

Conclusion

The encouragement of ultrafine heavy calcium carbonate by the NDRC underscores the critical role of advanced production equipment in achieving industrial excellence. Superfine vertical roller mills, exemplified by the SCM Ultrafine Mill and MTW Series Trapezium Mill, offer the efficiency, precision, and sustainability needed to meet these demands. By embracing these technologies, producers can not only enhance their product quality and profitability but also contribute to a greener, more resource-efficient future.