Kaolin, also known as China clay, is a naturally occurring soft clay mineral composed primarily of the mineral kaolinite, which is a hydrated aluminium silicate. It is characterised by its fine particle size, platy or flake-like structure, and typically white colour (although it can vary depending on impurities). Kaolin is commonly used in various industries such as ceramics, paper making, paints and coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and more, due to its desirable properties like whiteness, plasticity, and inertness.