Specialized Applications
Other Zeolite Applications CLINOMAX™
High-purity clinoptilolite zeolite has unique properties that enable applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, gas and moisture adsorption and many other industries.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
High-purity clinoptilolite zeolite possesses unique properties for cosmetic formulations
Potential Applications:
- •Face masks (adsorption of oiliness and impurities)
- •Deodorants (odor control by ion exchange)
- •Gentle exfoliants (mineral microparticles)
- •Cosmetic powders (moisture control)
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓Adsorption of oiliness and impurities
✓Moisture control
✓Natural and non-toxic mineral
✓Natural and sustainable mineral
Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical
Applications in pharmaceutical excipients and controlled-release systems
Potential Applications:
- •Pharmaceutical excipients (carrier for active ingredients)
- •Research on controlled-release systems
- •Use subject to local health registration
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 150–200 meq/100g
✓Chemical and thermal stability
✓Biocompatibility and low toxicity
✓Ionic selectivity for heavy metals.
Gas and Moisture Adsorption
In powder form, clinoptilolite adsorbs target gases and moisture through its microporous structure, without requiring a granular bed
Potential Applications:
- •Adsorption of VOCs and acid gases in industrial streams (use of powder in contact processes)
- •Moisture control as a powder desiccant (sachets and packaging materials)
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓Surface area of 43-47 m²/g (BET)
✓Selective microporous channels (0.4–0.7 nm)
✓Reusable in soil and compost
✓Stable structure in use
Other Industrial Applications
CLINOMAX™ clinoptilolite zeolite can be applied across many other industries
Potential Applications:
- •Functional mineral fillers for plastics, paints and coatings (under technical evaluation)
- •Mineral support in catalytic processes (under technical evaluation)
- •Paper and pulp (fiber and filler retention)
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓Clinoptilolite content ≥ 80%
✓Controlled heavy metals, with CoA per batch
✓Consistent and traceable supply.
✓Specialized technical support
Active Packaging and Preservation
As a powdered mineral filler, clinoptilolite adds an adsorption function (moisture and odors) to packaging and materials
Potential Applications:
- •Active packaging (moisture and odor control in films and sachets)
- •Desiccant sachets and moisture control agents.
- •Anti-odor filler in films and packaging materials
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓Adsorption of moisture and odors by the microporous structure
✓Powder form (~#200) — integrates into films and mineral fillers
✓Natural, non-toxic, and inert mineral
✓≥ 80% clinoptilolite content
Warm-Mix Asphalt
As a powdered mineral additive, clinoptilolite releases structurally bound water above ~100 °C, foaming the binder and enabling asphalt to be mixed and compacted at lower temperatures.
Potential Applications:
- •Warm-mix additive: water released by the zeolite foams the asphalt binder, reducing mixing and compaction temperatures
- •Partial replacement of traditional mineral filler in asphalt mastics.
- •Lower-temperature process with the potential to reduce energy consumption and emissions at the plant
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓Lower compaction temperature of warm-mix asphalt with the addition of natural zeolite (Woszuk & Franus, 2017)
✓Dosage defined by testing
✓Studied in the laboratory with natural clinoptilolite
✓Natural and non-toxic mineral
Industrial Effluent Treatment
Through batch cationic exchange, powdered clinoptilolite captures heavy metals and ammonium from industrial effluents, with marked selectivity for lead
Potential Applications:
- •Effluents from electroplating, tanning, textile and food processing industries (heavy metals and ammonium)
- •Removal of lead (Pb²⁺), copper (Cu²⁺), cadmium (Cd²⁺), and zinc (Zn²⁺) by ion exchange.
- •Ammonium (NH₄⁺) polishing as a complementary treatment step.
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓Selectivity order Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺ (Ouki & Kavannagh, 1997)
✓Efficiency depends on the metal, pH and concentration — no single universal figure
✓Hexavalent chromium and nickel have limited removal by cationic exchange (pair with suitable metals)
✓Powder form (~#200) for batch adsorption or under agitation.
Composting and Sludge Stabilization
Added as a powdered mineral conditioner, clinoptilolite captures ammonium by ion exchange before it volatilizes, preserving nitrogen and reducing odors during composting.
Potential Applications:
- •Conditioner in the composting of sewage sludge and organic waste
- •Ammonium retention, with lower ammonia (NH₃) loss and reduced odor
- •Improvement of the final compost quality (nitrogen content and organic matter)
Relevant Technical Properties:
✓A clinoptilolite layer on top of the pile effectively adsorbed the ammonia volatilized during sludge composting (Witter & López-Real, 1988)
✓Improved pH, %N, organic matter and metal retention in the compost (Stylianou et al., 2008; 20% w/w)
✓Reduces the bioavailability of metals in the final compost without removing them.
✓Powder form, natural and non-toxic mineral