Zeolite is a hydrated, crystalline aluminosilicate mineral with a honeycomb microstructure which is successfully used in a wide range of applications for its unique physical and chemical properties.
The zeolite family is a group of crystalline aluminosilicate minerals with a 3D honeycomb microstructure. There are about 50 naturally occurring zeolite minerals, of which clinoptilolite, chabazite and modernite are the most often commercially mined. Natural zeolites are one of the most common groups of aluminosilicates in volcanic sedimentary rocks, formed as a result of the deposition and alteration of volcanic tuffs in saline, alkaline lake deposits and open hydrological systems. Each zeolite deposit depends on the nature of the volcanic source material, the fluids that react with them, and the temperature at which it formed.
Zeolites are noted for their ion-exchange capacity and reversible dehydration. Their honeycomb structure encloses interconnected cavities and channels filled with hydrated alkali and alkaline earth cations and water molecules. The mineral's high surface area, high ion-exchange capacity, hydration / rehydration and adsorption capacity makes it an excellent molecular sieve, valued in a wide range of end applications ranging from cat litter to water purification.
Clinoptilolite is a hydrated aluminosilicate mineral with a complex chemical formula composed of cations (Ca, Na, K) and silicon/aluminum/oxygen tetrahedra.
Clinoptilolite from our Imerys deposit has the chemical composition
(Na,K,Ca)2–3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36•12H2O
Imerys mines and processes one of the highest purity clinoptilolites in the world at its Beli Plast operation in Southern Bulgaria to serve a wide range of end markets including animal welfare, crop production, water treatment, industrial absorbents and cat litter.
Imerys zeolites are natural solutions which confer a range of benefits that foster a cleaner, healthier environment.
Due to their unique high surface area and high cation exchange capacity, Imerys zeolites are remarkable, inert allies for adsorbing odors:
As an animal feed additive, Imerys feed-grade clinoptilolite is valued for its high cation-exchange, micro- and nano-porosity and hydration ability. These properties make it an excellent nutrient carrier, digestion aid and anti-caking and flow agent.
In crop production, zeolite is used in a large range of plant nutrition and soil improvement products where it enables the slow release of nutrients and better water retention.
In industrial and environmental applications, zeolite’s adsorption properties make it a useful mineral for air purification and water treatment applications, including ammonia and heavy metal removal in wastewater systems, and swimming pool and pond filtration.
Due to their affinity with the ions of certain heavy metals and radioactive elements, zeolites are environmentally friendly solutions for purifying industrial waste - particularly in site remediation and decontamination situations. Their superior porosity makes them excellent industrial absorbents for cleaning up oil and chemical spills.
They also make suitable filtration aids for industrial liquids, pharmaceuticals and wine.
Bentonite clay creates a clumping pet litter that is convenient for cat owners.
