Bentonites: linking clay science with technology

Bentonites are very important industrial clays, which are valued by the industry due to the unique properties of smectites. This symposium invites presentations which deal with all aspects of bentonites, from the geological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of deposits, to the determination of physical properties, possible processing/activation routes and commercial applications. Of particular importance are the characterization of bentonite deposits consisting of dioctahedral or trioctahedral smectites, the description of mineralogical and chemical heterogeneity within bentonites, and the determination of key smectite properties, which control both conventional and novel industrial and environmental applications.