Chemicals and lubricants

Fine Zinc Powder

Fine Zinc Powder is also important in chemical reactions and is used in various kinds of organic reactions such as Cyclopronation, the [2+2]-Cycloaddition, the Clemensen reduction, the Dehalogenation of tribromothiophenes, the Azo-coupling or the Production of organozinc halides.

In terms of applications, these reactions are important for life science applications (as fine zinc powder acts as the reagent for the synthesis of organozinc compounds), for the recovery of precious (eg. gold and silver) and platinum group metals (as produced in the Merrill Crowe Process) or in the purification process of leach solutions for the zinc metal production.

Another very important use of fine zinc powder is its catalyst role in the production of Sodium Hydrosulphite, which is mainly used in three sectors:

• Paper industry: bleaching of mechanical pulp, de-inked pulp and kaolin clay
• Textiles: reducing vat dyes (indigo), decolourising dyes, bleaching fibres, yarn and fabrics
• Specialist chemicals: a powerful reducing agent used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, metals and antioxidants.

Zinc oxide

Zinc oxide is used in the chemical industry for its own properties (anti UV properties, for instance, or to increase the viscosity of a material) or as part of a more complex catalyst system to drive a wide range of organic chemical reactions.

Various chemicals use ZnO in as part of their manufacturing process, such as zinc stearate, zinc diacrylate, zinc borate, and others. These chemicals are themselves used in several applications that include plastics, rubbers and flame retardant materials.

Another well-known zinc oxide application is its ability to remove sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide from the gases of, for example, hydrocarbon plants.

Zinc oxide is also used both for the production of zinc dithiophosphates and certain specialized lubricants and grease formulations such as greases for high temperature or high-pressure applications or automotive lubricants. The main role of zinc oxide in automotive engine oils is to help in reducing the oxidation, corrosion and wear on the engine.