Non-chemical admixture in the nature of polymers for use in flotation separation processes, namely, small, lightweight low density polymer beads and particles with a surface area size characteristic; chemically activated polymer shells, sponges or semi-porous particles with a predetermined size, and polymers designed for binding to other particles, linear oligomer and low molecular weight polymers, and chemically encapsulated polymer blocks, all of the foregoing for use in processing a mixture comprising a mineral particle of interest in flotation tanks or cells or in flotation separators, including for adding to the mixture in the flotation cell or tank in order to separate the mineral particle of interest from the mixture and to carry or lift the mineral particle of interest in the mixture to the surface of the flotation cell or tank, by attracting, or binding to, or wrapping around substrate in the mixture in the flotation cell or tank, and/or in order to provide a slow targeted or time-activated release at a potentially desired location where the release is required of the one or more chemicals in the mixture of the flotation cell or tank, such as frothers; or non-chemical air entrained admixture in the nature of polymers and glass for use in making concrete mixtures, namely, small hollow polymer and glass beads, particles and cylinders for use in processing mixtures, namely, for use in making concrete mixtures in order to control the amount of entrained air contained therein