Compositions including blends of hydrophobic and non-hydrophobic inorganic particulate material, for use in covering products

A mineral filler composition for use in covering products, the mineral filler composition comprising:

• a first inorganic particulate material filler having an average particle size ranging from 10 to 40 microns and being non-hydrophobic;
• and
• a second inorganic particulate material filler having an average particle size ranging from 1 to 5 microns and being hydrophobic, and
• wherein a blend ratio of the first inorganic particulate material filler to the second inorganic particulate material filler ranges from 70:30 to 60:40.

A mineral filler composition for use in covering products, the mineral filler composition comprising:

• a first inorganic particulate material filler having an average particle size ranging from 10 to 40 microns;
• and
• a second inorganic particulate material filler having an average particle size ranging from 1 to 5 microns,
• wherein at least one of the first and second inorganic particulate material fillers is hydrophobic;
• the second inorganic particulate material filler is treated with stearic acid;
• a blend ratio of the first inorganic particulate material filler to the second inorganic particulate material filler ranges from 70:30 to 60:40;
• and
• the first and second inorganic particulate material fillers are each ground calcium carbonate.