MICA: TRANSPARENCY FOR THE SHIMMERING RAW MATERIAL
Mica is a raw material that has received increasing attention in recent years regarding its origin and sourcing. For us at BIRKENSPANNER, transparency in the supply chain is particularly important. That's why we want to take this opportunity to give you an insight into our products and their sourcing.
What is Mica?
Natural mica is a mineral that can be split into very fine layers and retains its characteristic shimmer even in wafer-thin sheets. It is extracted directly from the earth's crust and occurs in various geological forms.
Due to its shimmering properties, natural mica is often used in cosmetic products to give them a glossy or shimmering effect.
In addition to natural mica, there are now also industrially produced mineral alternatives with similar optical properties. These allow for significantly better control over origin and supply chains.
What is problematic about mica?
Natural mica is mined worldwide, including in countries such as India and some regions of Africa. The origin of the raw material is increasingly discussed in the industry, particularly with regard to working conditions and the risk of child labor in individual mining areas.
At the same time, the raw material also raises questions of sustainability: Natural mica is transported over long distances and, as a natural raw material, is only available in limited quantities.
What products contain mica?
When cosmetic products shimmer or glitter, mica is often behind it. The mineral provides the typical shimmering effect in eyeshadow, blush, or nail polish, for example.
In addition, mica is also used in other areas, such as in electrical engineering or in certain building materials.
Are there alternatives to mica?
Yes, in our products we predominantly work with alternatives such as fluorphlogopite or calcium sodium borosilicates.
Fluorphlogopite, also known as synthetic mica, is produced in the laboratory. Minerals such as magnesium, aluminum, and silicon are melted in a kiln. During the subsequent cooling process, care is taken to ensure that the typical crystal structure forms, similar to natural mica. This creates a very uniform, shimmering mineral.
Calcium sodium borosilicate is also produced through a melting process. Calcium, sodium, and boron oxides are first melted together and then drawn into a very thin layer. After cooling, this layer is crushed to create fine mineral particles. Coating with metal oxides then creates the shimmering effects and colors that are later seen in cosmetic products.
These alternatives are produced industrially under controlled conditions. This allows for significantly better traceability of origin and supply chains than with the extraction of a natural raw material.