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| History
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The
Perlite Institute was founded in 1949, a year in which
it is estimated only 80,000 tons of perlite ore was mined
throughout the world. The unusual properties and advantages
of this virtually new material had been known for some
time, yet recognition and acceptance was impeded due to
a lack of reliable technical data, uniform commercial
standards and sufficient public information.
What was needed was a coordinated effort, a continuing
campaign to secure the future of the perlite industry
- an industry of highly promising but largely unexploited
potential, Miners of perlite ore and perlite expanders
combined efforts and resources in order to help themselves
individually. The Perlite Institute was founded.
Its most important task was to evolve, through approved
investigation and research, a greater technical and engineering
knowledge of perlite and then to communicate the facts
and data to producers, specifiers and users of the product.
The Institute would increase the public's awareness and
knowledge of perlite through well-organized and effective
programs of publicity and advertising. It would provide
a forum for discussing common problems and for their solution
through cooperative thinking and efforts. It would assist
the perlite producer in marketing, sales promotion and
sales training.
Finally, the Perlite Institute would act as headquarters
for the industry by dispensing appropriate information,
technical advice and guidance, as well as fostering a
strong liaison with allied industries and associations.
Responsibility for these tasks was vested in an elected
Board of Directors and its staff. The voluntary contribution
of the several Committees proved, from the very first,
to be of greatest significance.
Today there are excellent prospects for a steadily increasing
perlite market throughout the world. Expanded perlite
is being used in many applications, particularly in the
construction, horticulture, and industrial fields. Demand
is strong and the supply plentiful. The future continues
to look promising for the worldwide perlite industry.
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