Kaolin is one of a number of alumino-silicate clays consumed by the refractory industry.  These clays have alumina (Al2O3) contents of around 20% up to 45.9% for theoretically pure kaolin.

Cement is a term used to describe many different types of substance that are used as binders or adhesives.  The most important cement produced in terms of quantity is Portland cement, which is used in construction.  Other types of cement include masonry and oil well that are manufactured for specialist applications and calcium aluminate cement, which is used in refractories.

Glass fibre is a fine, fibrous material made from the same type of raw materials used to produce flat glass.  A wide range of grades is manufactured, which can be divided into reinforcing, insulation and optical categories.  Glass fibre is characterised by high tensile and impact strength, lightweight, high resistance to chemical attack and generally low cost.

Consumption of kaolin is concentrated in the paper, rubber, ceramics, refractories, glass fibre and cement industries.  Smaller, but still important consuming industries are paint, plastics, adhesives and sealants and catalyst supports.  Outside of these industries, kaolin is used in small quantities by a number of industries.  Roskill estimates consumption of kaolin outside of the industries mentioned above was around 720,000t in 2002.

The most important industrial use of kaolin as a filler mineral is in the paper industry where it is used in both filler and coating applications.  However, the use of kaolin is under pressure from other competing minerals, notably ground and precipitated calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC).