ECA® Density & Size Chart – Why We Measure in Liters

ECA® is a lightweight, voluminous aggregate. Because its performance is governed by bulk volume (voids + granules), it is measured and sold in liters rather than by weight. A liter describes the space it fills, which is what matters for green roofs, drainage layers, hydroponics beds, roof screeds, and fills. The chart below standardizes sizes, typical densities, and coverage.

How Volume Works for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregates

  • 1 cubic meter (CBM) = 1,000 liters = 20 bags of 50 L.
  • 1 ft³ ≈ 28.3 L one 50 L bag ≈ 0.05 m³ ≈ 1.75 ft³.
  • Typical coverage from one 50 L bag:
    50 mm layer ≈ 10.5 ft² 75 mm ≈ 7.0 ft² 100 mm ≈ 5.25 ft² (approx.).

Why liters (not kg): ECA® is a porous ceramic matrix and the bulk density varies by granulometry and moisture, but volume remains the right planning unit for design and installation.

ECA® density & size chart for rounds and crushed forms (0–30 mm)
Cross-section of ECA® showing ceramic shell and porous core structure

Available Sizes, Forms & Typical Densities

  • Forms: Rounds (R) and Crushed (C)
  • Size range: 0–30 mm
  • Density range: ~200–800 kg/m³.

(Weights per bag are indicative, density is subject to tolerance noted below.)

ECA® (Rounds) – Expanded Clay Aggregate

 

ECA® Round Size Density kg/m3 Weight (Kgs)
Per 50/100 liter bag
Packing Details
0 – 1 mm 700 – 800 50 Liters: 35-40 kgs 50 Liters Bags
1.7 CBM Jumbo Bags
0-1 mm round
1 – 4 mm 500 – 580 50 Liters: 25-29 kgs 50 Liters Bags
2.3 CBM Jumbo Bags
1-4 mm round
2 – 10 mm 260-340 50 Liters: 13-17 Kgs,
100 Liters: 26-34 Kgs
50 Liters Bags
100 Litres Bags
2.75 CBM Jumbo Bags
2-10 mm round
8 – 15 mm 220-300 550 Liters: 11-15 Kgs,
100 Liters: 22-30 kgs
C50 Liters Bags
100 Litres Bags
2.75 CBM Jumbo Bags
8-15 mm round
15 – 30 mm 200-280 50 Liters: 10-14 Kgs,
100 Liters: 20-28 kgs
50 Liters Bags
100 Litres Bags
2.75 CBM Jumbo Bags
15-30 mm round

ECA® (Crushed) – Expanded Clay Aggregate​

ECA® Crushed Size Density kg/m3 Weight (Kgs)
Per 50/100 liter bag
Packing Details
2 – 10 mm 240-320 50 Liters: 12-16 kgs,
100 Liters: 24-32 kgs
50 Liters Bags
100 Litres Bags
2.75 CBM Jumbo Bags
2-10 mm crushed
1 – 4 mm 300-380 50 Liters: 15-19 kgs,
100 Liters: 30-38 kgs
50 Liters Bags
100 Litres Bags
2.75 CBM Jumbo Bags
1-4 mm crushed
1.5–2.5 380–480 50 Liters: 19–24 kg 50 Liters Bags
2 CBM Jumbo Bags
0.8–1.5 500–600 50 Liters: 25–30 kg 50 Liters Bags
2 CBM Jumbo Bags
0 – 1 mm 580-680 50 Liter: 29-34 Kgs 50 Liters Bags
2 CBM Jumbo Bags
0-1 mm crushed
ECON C 0–4 mm

Density may be higher depending on fines

Note: “ECON CRUSHED 0–4 mm” density may be higher depending on fines.

Manufacturing Tolerance & Why It Matters

Density is subject to ±15% tolerance due to kiln expansion, raw material variability, and granulometry control. This tolerance is standard for expanded clay products and is already reflected in the bag weight ranges above. Designers and buyers should plan by volume and allow for the tolerance in their procurement.

Moisture, Absorption & Seasonal Variation

  • Ceramic matrix & porosity: ECA® is a fired ceramic (≈1200 °C) with a hard shell + porous core. The pore system allows capillary uptake of water, but the outer shell limits rapid saturation.

  • Water absorption capacity: ECA® typically absorbs ~18–23% of its own weight under test conditions. This is an inherent property of the porous ceramic structure and useful in horticulture/green roofs.

  • Moisture-at-dispatch disclaimer: Because of seasonal humidity and storage conditions, the practical moisture at packing may sit around ~17–19%. This affects bag weight but not the bag volume (liters). For ordering, size by liters and accept weight variability within the tolerance band noted.

  • Design implication: Use liters for take-offs and volume-based specifications  weight is outcome-dependent on density + moisture.

Safety, Sterility & Composition

  • Non-hazardous: ECA® is not classified as hazardous to humans or the environment  non-combustiblenon-corrosive.

  • No asbestos  no biological origin: Does not contain asbestos  not derived from plants/animals/micro-organisms  HS Code 68062000.

  • Ceramic matrix (not soil): A mineral ceramic (CAS 114808-60-7), insolubleinert, stable under normal handling  pH ~6–10 in contact with water.

  • Sterile & inert: ECA® is a neutral pHinert and sterile it does not support algal/fungal growth and is resistant to chemical leaching-ideal for hydroponics, drainage, and filtration.

On “ external contamination”: The granule itself is inert and does not foster microbial growth  surface dust or environmental fines can settle during use or storage-rinse before reuse as a standard good practice.

Reuse & Care Guide

Construction/drainage:
  1. Dry brush or rinse to remove fines.
  2. Reuse in drainage beds/ greenscapes.
  3. Dispose of excess as ordinary construction waste if ever needed (local regulations apply).
Hydroponics/horticulture:
  1. Rinse thoroughly to remove dust.
  2. Sterilize (boil/steam or brief soak in a mild H₂O₂ solution), then rinse.
  3. Pre-soak in pH-balanced water before planting.
  4. Dry & store in a cool, ventilated area between cycles.

Expanded Clay Aggregate – ECA® is reusable and recyclable  it does not biologically decompose.

How ECA® Moves Across the Globe

Packing, Logistics & Branding Options – Your Material, Your Identity

Small Packs for Retail & Specialized Use

Not every customer needs a jumbo bag. For horticulture, hydroponics, retail outlets, and trial projects, Rivashaa offers smaller packs that are convenient, lightweight, and ready for retail shelves.

  • 2 L bags – Handy for nurseries, home gardeners, and sampling.
  • 5 L bags – Ideal for balcony gardens, floriculture, and small retail kits.
  • 10 L bags – Perfect for small landscaping projects and hobby hydroponics.
Project-Ready Standard Packs

For larger works, we supply the industry-standard:

  • 50 L / 100 L bags – The most popular size for project installations (roof screeds, drainage beds, hydroponics beds, etc.).
  • Each 50 L bag = 1.75 ft³ (0.0496 m³), covering approx. 10.5 ft² at 50 mm thickness.
Bulk Solutions for Logistics
  • Jumbo Bags (Big Bags): ~2.0–2.75 CBM capacity, optimized for project logistics and container loading with ISPM Compliant Palletization.
  • Containerization: ECA® is exported in 20’ Dry Cargo Containers and 40’ High Cube Containers, with a typical stuffing capacity of ~26 MT (density dependent).
  • Ports of Loading: Kandla & Mundra, Gujarat, India.

LCL Shipments & Palletization

For smaller consignments, LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments can also be arranged. To ensure safety and compliance during international transport, cargo can be palletized as per ISPM standards (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures).

  • Palletization helps secure bags during handling and prevents movement in transit.
  • ISPM compliance ensures wood packaging used in export shipments meets global phytosanitary regulations.
  • This makes ECA® shipments suitable for all export destinations, whether by FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load).

Your Brand, Your Bag (Why Branding Matters)

With Rivashaa, your brand travels with your product. Whether you’re selling 2 L, 5 L packs in garden centers10 L bags for retail nurseries, or 50 L project packs, we ensure your logo and design stand out with:

  • White background + approved design label
  • High-quality, UV-resistant LDPE material
  • Custom print & artwork as per client requirements

We understand the importance of branding. That’s why Rivashaa offers custom printing and labeling on smaller retail packs:

  • 50 L Bag Dimensions: Width 14 in × Gusset 3.5 in × Gusset 3.5 in × Height 36 in
  • 10 L Bag Dimensions: Width 12 in × Gusset 4 in × Gusset 4 in × Height 16 in
  • Printing Options:
    • Center printing area: 12 in × 9 in
    • Background: White
    • Custom label with approved design
    • Brand logo and customized artwork can be added as per your requirements.

This makes every bag of ECA® not just a product, but also a branded representation of your business, whether in a retail nursery or a project warehouse.

Branding & Artwork Requirements

To provide you with customized branded bags, we require high-resolution artwork files in the following formats:

  • .CDR (CorelDraw file)
  • .PDF (High-Resolution, Print-Ready)

These files ensure:

  • Crisp, professional printing on LDPE bags.
  • Accurate reproduction of your brand logo, colors, and design elements.
  • Flexibility to apply designs across 2 L, 5 L, 10 L, 50 L, and jumbo bags.

Our design team works closely with you to review and approve the print layout before production, ensuring your brand identity is represented consistently.

Reference: Packing Bag for Rounds 8-15 ECA®

Bag: Gusseted Poly Bag UV Resistant
Litres: 50 litres Bag
Bag Type: Transparent
Bag Size:
50Liters: Width 14 inches X G 3.5 inches X G 3.5 inches X Height 36 inches
10 Liters: Width 12 inches X G 4 inches X G 4 inches X Height 16 inches
Printing Option: Available in Centre
Printing Area: 12 inches X 9 inches Label (Printing Area)
Print Area Background: White with an approved label

We can offer you the packing in 50 liters, 10 liters, and 2 liters bags with your brand logo printed as per your design requirements.

Expanded Clay Aggregate Paking

Downloads

Density Chart

ECA® MSDS

ECA® Product Catalogue