Both GCC and PCC are forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), but they are made differently, have different particle characteristics, and suit different industrial applications. This guide explains the key differences so you can choose the right grade.
Quick Answer
GCC (Ground Calcium Carbonate) is mechanically mined and ground from natural limestone or calcite — lower cost, suitable for most industrial applications. PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate) is chemically synthesised — higher purity, engineered particle shape, higher cost, preferred for premium paper coating and pharmaceuticals.
What is GCC (Ground Calcium Carbonate)?
Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) is produced by mining high-purity limestone or calcite rock and mechanically grinding it to the required particle size. No chemical transformation takes place — it is purely a physical process: crushing → grinding → classifying → packing.
- Raw material: Natural limestone or calcite deposits
- Production: Mechanical grinding (jaw crushers → ball/roller mills → air classifiers)
- Purity: 95–99% CaCO₃ (Shikhar Microns: 98.5%+)
- Particle shape: Irregular, rhombohedral — determined by the crystal structure of the ore
- Particle size range: Typically 2–100 microns (100–1500 mesh)
- Whiteness: 88–95 GE (depends on ore quality)
- Cost: Lower — natural ore, minimal processing energy
GCC from Rajasthan (Alwar and Makrana regions) is among the highest-purity GCC in India, owing to the geological quality of local calcite and marble deposits. Shikhar Microns supplies GCC in 100–1500 mesh with CaCO₃ purity of 98.5%+. View our GCC product →
What is PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate)?
Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) is manufactured through a chemical process: limestone is burned to produce quicklime (CaO), slaked with water to form milk of lime (Ca(OH)₂), and then reacted with CO₂ to precipitate ultrapure CaCO₃ crystals.
- Raw material: Limestone (but chemically transformed)
- Production: Calcination → slaking → carbonation → drying
- Purity: 99–99.9% CaCO₃
- Particle shape: Engineered — scalenohedral, rhombohedral, or aragonite depending on process conditions
- Particle size range: 0.07–3 microns (sub-micron grades available)
- Whiteness: 95–98 GE
- Cost: Higher — energy-intensive chemical process
GCC vs PCC: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Property | GCC | PCC |
|---|---|---|
| Production method | Mechanical grinding of limestone/calcite | Chemical precipitation (carbonation) |
| Purity (CaCO₃) | 95–99% | 99–99.9% |
| Particle shape | Irregular / rhombohedral | Engineered (scalenohedral, rhombohedral, aragonite) |
| Minimum particle size | ~1–2 microns (practical) | 0.07 microns (sub-micron possible) |
| Whiteness (GE) | 88–95 | 95–98 |
| BET surface area | 1–5 m²/g | 5–24 m²/g |
| Oil absorption | Lower (15–25 g/100g) | Higher (30–60 g/100g) |
| Cost | Lower | 2–5× higher than GCC |
| Availability in India | Widely available from Rajasthan, Gujarat | Limited domestic production |
GCC vs PCC: Applications Comparison
Where GCC is Preferred
- Paints & coatings — extender pigment in interior/exterior emulsions
- Plastics — filler in PVC, PP, HDPE compounds
- Rubber — reinforcing and extending filler
- Paper (body filler) — internal filler for printing and writing paper
- Construction — mortar, plaster, adhesives, sealants
- Adhesives & sealants — viscosity control, cost reduction
Where PCC is Preferred
- Paper coating — surface coating for glossy art paper and photographic paper
- Pharmaceuticals — antacid tablets, calcium supplements
- Food & beverage — food-grade calcium fortification
- Toothpaste — mild abrasive and whitening agent
- Premium inks — high-brightness ink carrier
- Specialty polymers — where sub-micron size is required
Which Should You Choose?
For most industrial applications in India — paints, plastics, rubber, paper body filler, construction — GCC is the right choice. It delivers excellent performance at a significantly lower price point, and high-purity GCC from Rajasthan (98.5%+ CaCO₃, 90+ whiteness) is a direct substitute for PCC in the majority of formulations.
| Application | Recommended Grade | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Interior / exterior paints | GCC (325–800 mesh) | Cost-effective extender, adequate whiteness |
| PVC pipe / profile | GCC or Coated GCC (400–600 mesh) | Cost reduction, stiffness improvement |
| Rubber compounding | GCC (200–500 mesh) | Adequate reinforcement at lower cost vs PCC |
| Paper body filler | GCC (800–1500 mesh) | Sufficient brightness, much cheaper than PCC |
| Paper surface coating | PCC | Sub-micron size and engineered shape needed |
| Pharmaceutical / food | PCC (food/pharma grade) | 99.9% purity, regulatory compliance required |
GCC as a PCC Substitute
Many manufacturers in India switch from PCC to high-purity GCC (98.5%+ CaCO₃, 800–1500 mesh) for paper body filling and plastic film applications — achieving comparable performance at 40–60% lower cost. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements →
Coated GCC vs Uncoated GCC
For plastics and rubber applications, GCC is often surface-treated with stearic acid to produce Coated GCC (also called coated calcite). The coating:
- Improves compatibility with polymer matrices (reduces agglomeration)
- Lowers moisture absorption
- Improves dispersion in PVC, PP, and PE compounds
- Increases filler loading levels without sacrificing mechanical properties
Shikhar Microns supplies both uncoated and stearic-acid-coated calcite powder in 200–1500 mesh. View Coated Calcite Powder →
Frequently Asked Questions
Need GCC for Your Application?
Shikhar Microns supplies high-purity GCC (98.5%+ CaCO₃) in 100–1500 mesh from Alwar, Rajasthan. Coated and uncoated grades available. Bulk orders dispatched pan-India.