Calcium Aluminium Silicate
Calcium Aluminium Silicate, also called Calcium Aluminosilicate and commonly referenced as E556 / INS 556, is a mineral-based food additive used as an anticaking agent, powder flow aid and carrier support material in selected dry food applications. For industrial food manufacturers, the purchasing value depends on food-grade status, particle-size profile, moisture-management performance, heavy-metal limits, regulatory fit, documentation quality and consistency between batches.
Anticaking use, maximum level and label declaration must be verified against the destination market and finished food category.
Product identity
| Product | Calcium Aluminium Silicate |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Calcium Aluminosilicate; calcium aluminum silicate; calcium silicoaluminate |
| Category | Anticaking, Flow & Mineral Carriers |
| Function | Anticaking agent / flow aid / carrier or mineral processing aid |
| E / INS number | E556 / INS 556 |
| CAS / identity | 1327-39-5 as listed in buyer reference; confirm exact CAS, composition and regulatory identity on supplier COA/SDS |
| Chemical family | Calcium aluminosilicate mineral material containing calcium, aluminium, silicon and oxygen |
| Typical form | Fine powder, granule or carrier grade depending on manufacturing process and particle-size specification |
| Typical appearance | White to off-white, free-flowing mineral powder subject to supplier grade |
| Main technical value | Improves dry-powder handling by reducing caking, bridging, clumping and poor flow under suitable conditions |
| Key buying point | Confirm food-grade approval, particle-size distribution, impurity limits and market-specific permission before price comparison |
Industrial buying value
Calcium Aluminium Silicate is typically evaluated when powders become sticky, bridge in hoppers, cake during storage, lose dosing accuracy or fail to discharge consistently during packing. It can be useful in factories that handle hygroscopic ingredients, salt-based blends, flavour powders, seasonings, powdered beverage bases, mineral premixes and other dry products requiring flow control.
- Helps reduce caking and lump formation in selected powdered systems
- Supports free-flowing behavior during dosing, blending, conveying and packing
- Can act as a mineral carrier for low-dosage ingredients, flavours, colours or premix components
- May improve production consistency where humidity and powder adhesion create handling losses
- Requires careful comparison of particle size, moisture adsorption, bulk density and regulatory status
Technical overview
Calcium Aluminium Silicate is a mineral aluminosilicate material used in food systems mainly for physical functionality rather than taste, nutrition or preservation. Its value comes from surface area, mineral structure, particle morphology, moisture interaction and its ability to support powder separation. In practical manufacturing, anticaking performance is affected by the whole powder matrix: sugar, salt, acids, fibres, proteins, fats, flavours, humidity exposure, particle size, packaging barrier and storage temperature all influence whether a blend remains free-flowing.
For procurement teams, the product name alone is not enough. Two commercial grades can behave very differently if they have different particle size, surface area, density, moisture content, oil absorption, silica/alumina/calcium balance or impurity profile. The best buying process combines supplier documentation with plant trials, flow testing and stability checks under the buyer's real warehouse and processing conditions.
How anticaking performance works
Caking is usually caused by moisture migration, capillary bridges, surface dissolution and recrystallisation, fat migration, electrostatic effects, pressure during pallet storage or glass transition in amorphous ingredients. Calcium Aluminium Silicate can help by separating particles, absorbing or managing surface moisture and reducing direct contact between sticky particles.
- Reduces particle-to-particle adhesion in suitable dry blends
- Helps manage surface moisture in hygroscopic powders
- Can reduce hopper bridging, clumping and poor discharge
- May improve dosing accuracy in auger fillers and volumetric systems
- Should be validated under real humidity, pressure and storage conditions
Performance variables
The same addition level may perform differently across factories and formulas. Buyers should evaluate the material in the actual production powder, not only in a laboratory jar. The most relevant performance checks are flowability, caking resistance, dusting, blend uniformity, sensory neutrality and process compatibility.
- Particle size and surface area of the anticaking agent
- Moisture level, water activity and hygroscopicity of the powder blend
- Fat, oil, flavour and seasoning load
- Bulk density, compression during pallet storage and vibration during transport
- Packaging barrier, headspace, humidity control and shelf-life target
Application fit
Potential use areas may include the applications below, subject to destination-market rules, food-category permission, maximum permitted level, final label declaration and customer policy. These examples are technical formulation contexts, not a universal approval list.
| Application area | Technical reason to evaluate | Buyer / R&D checks |
|---|---|---|
| Powdered beverages | Supports flow and reduces clumping in drink powders, instant mixes and vitamin-mineral blends | Dispersibility, turbidity, mouthfeel, sediment, particle size, humidity exposure and label rules |
| Seasonings and spice blends | Helps manage caking caused by salt, sugar, acids, flavours, oil carriers and hygroscopic spices | Oil load, salt content, flavour adhesion, dusting, colour appearance, bulk density and sensory neutrality |
| Bakery mixes | Improves dry handling in flour-based mixes, leavening systems, premixes and powdered inclusions | Blend uniformity, particle segregation, dough impact, enzyme compatibility and customer label acceptance |
| Salt products | Reduces lump formation and supports free-flowing table salt, seasoning salt or industrial salt blends where permitted | Regulatory limit, iodine compatibility, humidity resistance, particle size and finished-pack flow |
| Dry nutritional premixes | Supports flow and uniform dispersion of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and low-dosage actives | Carrier compatibility, assay uniformity, overage strategy, segregation risk and microbiology limits |
| Cheese powders and savoury powders | Helps reduce caking in fat-containing and flavour-rich powders | Fat migration, oil absorption, sensory effect, colour, flow after storage and packaging barrier |
| Tablet dusting and dry process aids | Can be evaluated as a flow or dusting support material in selected food-grade tablet or compressed formats | Compression behavior, abrasion, tablet appearance, permitted use and residual declaration |
| Ingredient carriers | May support dosing of flavours, colours, enzymes or functional ingredients in low-level premixes | Carrier loading, release behavior, particle match, assay uniformity and compatibility with active ingredients |
Quality and specification parameters
For industrial purchasing, Calcium Aluminium Silicate should be compared by measurable specification, regulatory status and plant performance. A technically suitable material should support flow without creating unacceptable dust, grit, sediment, colour shift, label concerns or impurity risks.
| Specification area | What to request | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and grade | Product name, E/INS number, CAS reference, food-grade statement, manufacturing origin and test method | Confirms that the offered material matches the intended food additive and avoids technical-grade substitution |
| Chemical composition | Calcium, aluminium and silicon/silica profile; confirm whether expressed as oxides or elements | Allows comparison between mineral grades and supports regulatory/customer documentation |
| Particle size | Mesh size, D10/D50/D90 where available, residue on sieve and particle-size distribution | Controls flow effect, dusting, mouthfeel, blend uniformity and segregation risk |
| Bulk density | Loose and tapped bulk density | Affects volumetric dosing, bag filling, warehouse planning and blend uniformity |
| Moisture / loss on drying | Moisture content, loss on drying and drying method | Influences caking risk, shelf life, microbial control and cost comparison |
| pH / suspension behavior | pH of aqueous suspension and dispersibility information | Relevant for beverage powders, instant mixes and sensitive formulation systems |
| Flow performance | Angle of repose, Carr index, Hausner ratio, flow-through-orifice result or buyer-specific flow test | Provides practical evidence of production benefit beyond a generic anticaking claim |
| Oil and moisture interaction | Oil absorption, water absorption or surface-area data where available | Important for seasoning powders, flavours, cheese powders and fat-containing dry blends |
| Impurities | Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, heavy metals and acid-soluble impurities according to buyer standard | Supports food-grade approval, export compliance and customer audit requirements |
| Microbiology | Total plate count, yeast and mould, coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella and other limits when required | Important for dry mixes, nutritional powders and high-care food factories |
| Compliance | Food-grade declaration, allergen statement, GMO statement, vegan/vegetarian statement, halal/kosher if required | Reduces regulatory, customer and label-approval delays |
| Traceability | Manufacturer, country of origin, batch number, production date, retest date and shelf life | Enables supplier qualification, recall readiness and audit-trail control |
Formulation and plant-trial checklist
- Target problem: define whether the issue is caking, bridging, poor flow, dusting, compaction, segregation, lumping after storage or filler inconsistency.
- Dosage screening: run small-scale and pilot trials at multiple addition levels within the legally permitted range and customer specification.
- Humidity challenge: evaluate product flow after exposure to realistic relative humidity, transport temperature and warehouse pressure.
- Blend uniformity: test whether the material improves flow without causing separation of fine, coarse, dense or low-dosage ingredients.
- Filling performance: check auger filling, sachet filling, jar filling, pouch filling and big-bag discharge where relevant.
- Sensory review: confirm that the selected grade does not create grit, chalkiness, visible specking, cloudiness or unwanted mouthfeel.
- Packaging compatibility: verify moisture barrier, headspace, liner type, seal integrity and shelf-life stability.
- Label and regulatory review: confirm additive declaration, food category permission and maximum use level before commercial release.
- Cost-in-use: calculate cost per tonne of finished blend, including dosage, wastage reduction, line-speed improvement and rejected-pack reduction.
- Supplier qualification: approve only after COA review, plant trial, compliance check and documented purchasing specification.
Comparison with related flow and anticaking options
Calcium Aluminium Silicate is part of a wider group of anticaking agents, carriers and flow aids. The best choice depends on food category, regulatory permission, dosage limit, sensory requirements, dry-blend behavior and customer label preference.
| Option | Typical reason to compare | Industrial note |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium Aluminium Silicate / E556 | Mineral anticaking agent and carrier support for selected dry systems | Check aluminium-related customer policies, composition, particle size and destination-market permission |
| Silicon dioxide / E551 | High-surface-area anticaking and flow aid in many dry blends | Often compared for moisture management, dusting, dosage efficiency and label acceptance |
| Calcium silicate / E552 | Moisture absorption and flow support in powders and salt systems | Compare water/oil absorption, density and mouthfeel impact |
| Magnesium silicates / E553a | Flow aid, anticaking and carrier functionality in dry systems | Review local permission, particle size and mineral profile |
| Tricalcium phosphate / E341(iii) | Anticaking support with calcium/phosphate mineral contribution | May affect mineral balance, phosphate declaration and formulation pH |
| Starches and flour-based carriers | Label-friendly carrier or flow support in some applications | May introduce allergen, GMO, microbiology, moisture and heat-stability considerations |
Process integration guidance
In dry food factories, Calcium Aluminium Silicate should be added in a way that maximises dispersion while avoiding excessive dust and segregation. The ideal addition point depends on the blend design. For some products, it is mixed with hygroscopic ingredients first; for others, it is pre-blended with flavours, colours, vitamins or mineral premixes before final blending.
Dry-blend handling points
- Match particle size with the host powder to reduce segregation
- Pre-blend with low-dosage ingredients when uniformity is critical
- Define mixer type, filling level, mixing speed and mixing time
- Control humidity during weighing, blending and packing
- Validate flow after storage, not only immediately after blending
Production risk controls
- Use dust extraction and operator protection according to SDS guidance
- Prevent over-dosing that can create dustiness, dull appearance or mouthfeel issues
- Check compatibility with flavours, acids, colours, enzymes and active premix ingredients
- Monitor sieve residues, lumps and foreign matter during incoming QC
- Record batch number, dosage and release status in production documentation
Handling, storage and warehouse control
Calcium Aluminium Silicate should be handled according to the supplier safety data sheet, food-safety plan and local workplace rules. Although mineral anticaking agents are generally dry materials, storage conditions still matter because packaging damage, moisture exposure and contamination can reduce performance or create quality issues.
| Control point | Recommended buyer action |
|---|---|
| Storage environment | Store in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area according to supplier recommendations |
| Moisture protection | Keep bags sealed until use and protect opened packaging from humidity and condensation |
| Dust management | Use suitable handling controls, local extraction and PPE according to SDS and site policy |
| Cross-contact | Store away from odorous, allergenic, wet or incompatible materials |
| Lot traceability | Record lot number, supplier COA, internal release status and expiry/retest date before use |
| Opened packaging | Define resealing, relabelling, retest and maximum-open-time procedures |
Packaging and logistics options
Packaging depends on supplier standard, grade and order volume. Common industrial requests include sample packs, trial quantities, 10-25 kg bags, multiwall paper bags with inner liners, fibre drums, lined cartons, palletised export packaging and full-container supply. For export projects, buyers should request pallet dimensions, net and gross weight, bag dimensions, liner type, batch coding system, shelf life, storage conditions, HS code guidance, document language and shipping marks before confirming the order.
Regulatory and label diligence
Calcium Aluminium Silicate should be managed as a regulated food additive. The buyer is responsible for verifying whether E556 / INS 556 is permitted in the destination market, whether it is allowed in the finished food category, the maximum level, the calculation basis, carry-over rules, additive declaration and any customer-specific restrictions related to aluminium-containing additives or mineral anticaking agents.
Some markets and customers apply stricter policies than general additive lists. A material may be technically useful but commercially unsuitable if the retailer, brand owner, importer or destination-market authority does not accept the additive in the final product. For this reason, regulatory confirmation should be completed before commercial purchase, not after production.
Documents to request
- Product specification or technical data sheet with grade, E/INS number and identity information
- Certificate of analysis for available batch or representative lot
- Safety data sheet where applicable
- Food-grade declaration and additive identity confirmation
- CAS, composition and regulatory-identity clarification where required by buyer specification
- Origin statement, manufacturer information and traceability declaration
- Shelf-life, retest date and recommended storage conditions
- Particle size, bulk density, moisture, loss on drying and pH/suspension data
- Heavy metals, lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and impurity statements aligned with buyer requirements
- Microbiological specification where required for dry mixes, nutritional products or high-care factories
- Allergen, GMO, vegan/vegetarian, BSE/TSE and irradiation statements where required
- Halal and kosher certificates when required by customer or destination market
- Label draft, packaging details, pallet configuration and net/gross weight
- Market-specific declarations required by the importing country
How to request this product
Send the product name, target grade or reference specification, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, expected shipment date, delivery term and required documents. If you already purchase Calcium Aluminium Silicate, attach or describe your current specification, label, certificate of analysis or supplier grade so alternative options can be compared accurately.
For faster technical review, include the intended application, target function, powder type, current flow or caking problem, humidity conditions, desired particle size, maximum dosage limit, regulatory market, customer compliance requirements and whether trial samples are needed before bulk quotation.
Useful answers
What is Calcium Aluminium Silicate used for in food manufacturing?
Calcium Aluminium Silicate is typically reviewed for powder flow, caking prevention, mineral carrier use, dry-blend handling and selected tablet or powder processing applications. Exact suitability depends on grade, particle size, dosage, application, process, regulations and supplier documents.
How does Calcium Aluminium Silicate improve powder flow?
It can help reduce particle adhesion, manage surface moisture and improve separation between powder particles. Performance depends on the host powder, humidity, particle size, pressure during storage, packaging barrier and the selected addition level.
Which industries commonly evaluate this additive?
It may be evaluated by manufacturers of powdered beverages, seasonings, bakery mixes, salt products, cheese powders, dry premixes, nutritional powders and other dry food systems where flow and caking are production concerns.
Can it be used as a carrier for flavours or premixes?
It may be considered as a mineral carrier in selected dry systems, but loading capacity, release behavior, particle-size match, blend uniformity, sensory impact and regulatory status must be tested before commercial use.
Which technical parameters should be compared between suppliers?
Buyers should compare food-grade status, identity, particle size, surface behavior, bulk density, moisture, loss on drying, flow performance, heavy metals, microbiology, origin, shelf life, packaging and compliance documents.
Can Global Food Additives source Calcium Aluminium Silicate?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options for Calcium Aluminium Silicate according to target specification, quantity, destination, packaging, shipment timing and required documentation.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a technical data sheet or specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet where applicable, food-grade declaration, origin statement, allergen/GMO statements, heavy-metal information, shelf-life information, label details and packing details.
Is this product permitted in every country?
No. Food additive use depends on destination-market rules, food category, use level, label requirements and buyer responsibility. Always verify regulatory status before commercial use.
Tell us which food additive or ingredient you need.
Send product names, target specifications, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term, and document requirements. Our team will review your inquiry and respond from orders@foodgradeadditives.com.
Your message has been received. You will be redirected to the home page.