Talc, Steatite and Soapstone are terms used in the trade for the same material. The chemical name of Talc is Magnesium Silicate. India is one of the largest producers of Talc, out of which about 53% of the total reserves are in Rajasthan where some of the best qualities of Talc in the world are mined.

In its ground form Talc/Steatite has a large variety of industrial applications. The value of industrial Talc lies in its extreme softness, smoothness, sli p & lubricating properties, high luster and sheen, chemical inertness, high fusion point, low conductivity to heat & electricity and hiding power as a pigment extender

Talc/Steatite/Soapstone is consumed in many manufacturing industries:

Paper Industry: In the paper industry, talc is used to increase the retention, of fillers control pitch globules & brightness, in surface coating & to increase opacity. Paint Industry: Talc helps reinforce the paint films by preventing sagging. The settling of solids to the bottom of the container is also prevented. Being soft, it contributes minimum abrasion to the process & applicator. Cosmetic Industry: Talc is used in a number of preparations including colored make up, dermopadediatric preparation & talcum 'powder. .In cosmetic, only high quality talc is , used. Textile Industry: Talc is used in textile Industry both as a 'loading' & 'bleaching' material such as cotton sacks, cordage, rope & string. White Talc with low abrasion is required for such purposes.

Ceramic Industry: Talc is an im portant material in this industry where it need transcluency & toughness. It is used in whiteware bodies, electrical porcelain, high frequency insulators, tiles, & kiln furniture such as saggers. Rubber Industry: In this industry, talc is used as a filler. It also provides insulation required in the cable industry. It acts as a dusting & anti blocking agent in moulds & prevents finished rubber goods from, sticking to one another in transit & storage. Plastic Industry: Talc is used as a filler in this industry. It improves chemical & heat resistance, impact, strength, dimensional stability, stiffness, hardness, tensile strength creep resistance & electrical insulation properties. Paper Industry: In the paper industry, talc is used to increase the retention of fillers, control pitch globules & brightness in surface coating & to increase opacity