Product
Clinoptilolite
Insight Articles
#PS798
Main Product
Aluminosilicate Ores
Segment
Extractive Industry Products
Main-Family
Ores
Sub-Family
Non-Metallic Ores
Physical State

Solid

Description

Clinoptilolite is the principal natural zeolite ore used commercially, valued for its high cation‑exchange capacity, thermal stability, and benign toxicity profile.


Identity and composition

  • Mineral type: Natural zeolite, tectosilicate aluminosilicate.

  • Typical formula: (Na,K,Ca)2−3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36 ⋅ 12H2O (variable Na/K/Ca content and Si/Al ratio).

  • Key physical traits: Microporous framework, high internal surface area, strong selectivity for NH₄⁺ and some heavy‑metal cations, stable up to ~600–700 °C.


Main applications

  • Environmental and water treatment: Removal of ammonium, heavy metals, and radionuclides from municipal, industrial, and aquaculture wastewaters; odour and emission control in waste and manure.

  • Agriculture and animal nutrition: Soil amendment for water and nutrient retention; feed additive to bind ammonia and mycotoxins, improve litter quality, and reduce odour and nitrogen losses.

  • Construction and materials: Additive in cement, concrete, mortars, and asphalt to improve durability, shrinkage, and pozzolanic behaviour; filler in polymers and coatings.

  • Health and veterinary products (growing but niche): Detox/“binder” supplements, antidiarrheal and hemostatic preparations, and GI‑support products, generally using purified or micronized grades; safety supported but still under active study.


Commercial forms and grades

  • Ore and milled grades: Crushed, screened, and milled powders or granules (e.g. 0–0.5 mm, 0.5–1.5 mm, 2–5 mm) for bulk uses in agriculture, filtration, and environmental remediation.

  • Activated / modified grades: Thermally activated, acid‑treated, or surface‑modified clinoptilolite to enhance adsorption of specific ions (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, As³⁺, VOCs) or improve compatibility with polymers and cements.

  • Feed and food‑grade products: Tight particle‑size and purity specs, low heavy‑metal content, and regulatory compliance for animal feed additives and human dietary supplements.


Typical properties for a data sheet

  • Mineralogy: ≥ 60–90% clinoptilolite in commercial concentrates, with quartz, feldspar, and clays as main impurities.

  • Bulk density: Roughly 0.7–0.9 t/m³ (loose, granular) depending on grade.

  • Cation exchange capacity: Commonly in the range 1.5–2.5 meq/g (with high selectivity for NH₄⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, some heavy metals).

  • pH in water: Typically near neutral to slightly alkaline for unmodified material.


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From left to right: Cliptonilolite ore, zeolite for soil improvement, tetrahedral framework (red: oxygen, orange: absorbed cation, grey: Si or Al at Si/Al~ 4) | Various sources
Identifiers

No Identifiers defined

Chemical Data

Specific Gravity
1.00
Crude Data

API Gravity
10
Country
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Transaction Name Date
Modified by UserPic   Kokel, Nicolas 4/19/2026 10:42 AM
Added by UserPic   Kokel, Nicolas 4/19/2026 5:19 AM