Abra Cadabra - Has Mica Lost Its Magic?

The history of mica stretches back over 4000 years to a time when it was believed to have magical medicinal powers. According to a mica producers brochure, the Hindustani words for the mineral were abrak and abhra, which changed together may be the etymological origin of abracadabra. Ground mica provides the magic for a variety of applications and is a mineral in the vanguard of automotive plastic and pigment developments, though negligible market growth and static or declining pricing have become familiar bedfellows for mica producers over the last 18 months. But despite the economic slowdown, producers remain bullish about the future as they seek to concentrate on higher value added markets.