Bentonite cat litter has become a popular choice for pet owners worldwide due to its excellent clumping properties, deodorizing capabilities, and affordability. According to statistics, the global bentonite cat litter market exceeded US$1.5 billion in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 4.5%. Growth is particularly rapid in the Asia-Pacific region, and the market share is expected to reach 38% of the global total by 2027.
1. Raw Materials and Production Principles
The core raw materials of bentonite cat litter are sodium bentonite or calcium bentonite.
Sodium bentonite: After absorbing water, it expands by 15–20 times its original volume, forming dense clumps that resist disintegration.
Calcium bentonite: Its water absorption capacity is slightly lower, but it is less expensive. Its performance can be enhanced through sodium treatment.
The montmorillonite mineral structure within the bentonite particles has an extremely high specific surface area (up to 600–800 m²/g), which rapidly absorbs water and encapsulates odor molecules, achieving rapid clumping and deodorization.
2. Manufacturing Process
Ore Mining
Select high-quality bentonite deposits with a montmorillonite content exceeding 80%.
Open-pit mining is used to reduce the impurity content of the raw materials.
Raw Material Crushing and Drying
The ore is crushed to a particle size of 0.5–1 cm using a jaw crusher and hammer crusher.
The moisture content is reduced to ≤12% in a rotary dryer to ensure efficiency in subsequent processing.
Grinding and Screening
Grind the particles to the target particle size (typically 0.5–2 mm) using a Raymond mill or ball mill.
Sieving using a multi-layer vibrating screen ensures uniform particle size and removes dust.
Sodium Treatment (e.g., using calcium-based bentonite):
Sodium carbonate solution is added to the mixer to exchange calcium ions for sodium ions, improving expansion and agglomeration properties.
Granulation and Drying
Pellets are granulated using a disc granulator or drum granulator to achieve a rounded shape, reducing the risk of cat claw damage. The finished product is dried again to control its moisture content to ≤10%, improving storage stability.
Dust Removal and Packaging
Dust removal equipment is used to reduce airborne dust levels to ≤0.5%.
Packaged in sizes of 5L, 10L, and 20L. Some products contain fragrance or antibacterial agents.
3. Quality Control and Performance Testing
Water Absorption: High-quality bentonite cat litter should have a water absorption rate of 300–400% or higher.
Clumping Hardness: A clumping strength of 3N or higher is required to ensure it resists breaking.
Dust Content: High-quality products should have a dust content of less than 0.5% to minimize respiratory irritation in cats.
Deodorization Efficiency: Ammonia removal efficiency of over 90% can be achieved.
4. Industry Trends and Environmental Protection Directions
As pet owners prioritize health and environmental protection, bentonite cat litter production is developing in the following directions:
·Low-dust technology: Dust reduction through improved drying and screening equipment.
·Functionalized formulations: Adding green tea powder, activated carbon, and antimicrobial agents enhances deodorizing and sterilizing properties.
·Recycling: Some manufacturers are experimenting with recycling waste litter to reduce solid waste pollution.
According to market analysis, by 2030, the global market share of high-end functional bentonite cat litter will increase from the current 12% to more than 25%, and balancing environmental protection and performance will become the core of competition.
