Messi Biology Co., Ltd. explains that in industrial production, food processing, and even pharmaceutical manufacturing, covering agents play the role of “invisible guardians.” They form a uniform protective film on the surface of substances to isolate them from external interference and stabilize product properties. Among the many covering agent materials, magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) stands out for its unique performance, becoming a preferred material in multiple fields.
The core advantages of magnesium carbonate stem from its special physicochemical properties. As a white, odorless powder, it has extremely high dispersibility, allowing it to be easily mixed with other substances and spread evenly to form a dense and thin coating—a key requirement for a covering agent. Its chemical properties are stable; it does not react with most acids and alkalis at room temperature and will not affect the performance of the covered substance due to its own deterioration. At the same time, its insolubility in water and its non-toxic, odorless nature give it a natural advantage in the food and pharmaceutical industries. As a covering agent, the core role of magnesium carbonate is reflected in three major scenarios:
In the food industry, it is a high-quality “anti-caking covering agent”: In powdered foods such as milk powder, coffee powder, and seasonings, adding a small amount of magnesium carbonate can form an isolation film on the surface of the particles, preventing them from clumping due to moisture absorption and ensuring the product’s flowability. Behind this is magnesium carbonate’s extremely strong adsorption capacity, which can absorb trace amounts of moisture from the air, preventing the particle surfaces from dissolving and sticking together. It does so without affecting the food’s taste or safety, meeting the strict standards for food additives.
In the industrial manufacturing sector, magnesium carbonate is an efficient “release covering agent.” During metal processing, it can serve as a release layer between the mold and the casting, preventing the high-temperature molten metal from sticking to the mold. At the same time, its high-temperature resistance (decomposition temperature of about 350°C) allows it to maintain its covering effect in high-temperature environments. In the production of plastics and rubber, it can coat the material surface to reduce frictional wear during processing while enhancing the product’s heat resistance and stability.
In the pharmaceutical field, magnesium carbonate is a gentle “protective covering agent.” In some topical ointments, it acts as a base component to cover the skin’s surface, which not only fixes the active ingredients of the drug but also reduces direct skin irritation from the medication. Its weak alkalinity can also neutralize trace acidic secretions on the skin’s surface, alleviating discomfort. In oral preparations, it can also be used as a coating excipient to form a protective film, control the drug’s release rate, and improve the user’s experience.
Compared to other covering materials such as calcium carbonate and talcum powder, the advantages of magnesium carbonate are particularly prominent: its coating layer is thinner and more uniform, its adsorption is stronger, and it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. After disposal, it can degrade naturally without causing environmental pollution. With the deepening of environmental protection concepts and the demand for industrial upgrading, the application of magnesium carbonate in emerging fields such as new energy and electronic materials is also expanding. For example, it is used as a coating for lithium battery electrodes to improve electrode stability and conductivity. From daily-consumed milk powder to industrially produced castings, from medical ointments to new energy batteries, magnesium carbonate protects product quality and safety through its “invisible covering.” This material, which combines performance, safety, and environmental friendliness, is the ideal choice in the field of covering agents and also shows us the infinite possibilities of ordinary inorganic substances empowered by technology.