Feldspar

What it is

Feldspar is a rock-forming mineral group used as a flux in glass and ceramics manufacturing — it lowers melting temperatures and adds strength.

Why it matters

Reserves are abundant, but it is bulky and low-value, so processing is energy- and transport-intensive.

Circular challenges

Whether feldspar re-enters the economy at end-of-life is mostly settled at the design stage. These are the recurring blockers.

• Embedded in glass

  Once melted into glass or ceramic, feldspar cannot be recovered separately — only the whole glass or ceramic can be recycled.

• Energy intensity

  Mining and processing emissions are the main environmental footprint, not scarcity.

• Ceramic recycling is rare

  Construction and sanitary ceramics are mostly landfilled rather than reground for new ceramic production.