Whittemore Perlite
Premium Expanded Perlite
As one of the longest continuously operating perlite manufacturers in North America, Whittemore delivers expanded perlite engineered for superior drainage, insulation, and lightweight performance, trusted across horticulture, construction, industrial filtration, and specialty applications.
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What is Perlite?
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava and the secondary hydration of obsidian. It contains 3–5% trapped water by weight, which is the key to its dramatic expansion behavior when heated.
When processed at temperatures between 1600–2000°F, the trapped water vaporizes and creates microscopic bubbles , expanding the ore 7 to 20 times its original volume into ultra-lightweight, porous, bright white particles. The white color comes from light reflecting off those countless fused glass bubbles.
At Whittemore, raw perlite ore is expanded and graded in our facility to exact specifications, producing a clean, inert, sterile, pH-neutral material trusted across horticulture, construction, industrial filtration, and specialty applications.
Benefits of Perlite
Improves Drainage & Aeration
Prevents compaction and supports strong root development
Lightweight & Easy to Handle
Reduces transportation costs and simplifies installation
Non-Combustible & Inert
Safe for construction, horticulture, and industrial applications
Stable & Long-Lasting
Does not break down or degrade over time
Sterile & pH Neutral
Clean, consistent material that won't introduce contaminants
Why Choose Whittemore Perlite?
One of North America's Longest Running Perlite Manufacturers
Whittemore is the longest continuously operating perlite manufacturer in North America , a century of expertise behind every batch.
Responsibly Sourced
We partner with trusted mining operations and maintain strict quality controls from raw ore through final production.
Built for Consistency
Controlled processing ensures uniform particle size, density, and performance,batch after batch.
Our Process
Engineered Through Controlled Expansion
Perlite ore is a naturally occurring, abundant volcanic glass that expands dramatically when heated above its softening point. At Whittemore, every batch is processed in our facility under strict quality controls, ensuring the material you receive meets exact specifications.
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Sourced from proven U.S. and international volcanic deposits through trusted, long-term mining partners , and tested in our facility for purity, moisture content (typically 3–5%), and expansion potential before processing begins
Controlled Thermal Expansion (1600–2000°F)
Processed in Whittemore's industrial furnaces above perlite's softening point , vaporizing the trapped water and expanding the ore 7 to 20 times its original volume into lightweight, porous particles with consistent density
Graded to Whittemore Specifications
Screened and classified in-house to particle sizes tailored for horticulture, construction, filtration, and industrial applications
Frequently Asked Questions
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