sunfish

I don't know first hand but I found this.


There are a number of materials that can be used in place of perlite for many of its applications. These materials (such as diatomite, pumice, expanded clay and shale, etc.) may be used in place of perlite without losing any of the benefits that perlite provides. Despite the lack of detailed information about world perlite production, there appears to be an abundant supply of perlite that will last many decades into the future.