Zeolite

TeOX
Zeolite 4 A
Most promissing substitute for the sodium tripolyphosphate – the most harmful element to the environment contained in detergents.

• Makes possible the formulation of high performance detergents with low cost.
• Increases the capacity of cations exchange.
• Excellent detergent structuring agent.
• Removes ions from heavy metals, iron, copper and manganese, allowing cloth whitening, and leveraging bleaching.
• Has the capacity of absorbing liquids, having an anti-agglomerating action in powder detergents formulas.
• Is safe for the environment and for the human being.
• Is phosphorous free.

TeOX is a synthetic zeolite type 4 A, produced from minerals that are abundant in nature – such as Silicon, Aluminum and Sodium. Its high absorption efficiency is related to its large internal surface, as its crystalline structure is characterized by cavities. Its capacity of ionic exchange is due to the unbalance of charges which attract the closest Ca2+ cation to keep its neutrality.

TeOX Zeolite 4 A is mainly used in the detergents industry, as opposed to natural zeolites, which present a low capacity of ionic exchange, making them inadequate for such application.

For many years only one type of scavenger was used for powder detergent, the sodium tripolyphophate, however, as phosphorous is a nutrient, it causes serious problems to the environment, provoking eutrophication. This, in excess, results in a rapid growth of algae, which causes an excessive oxygen consumption, eventually making algae die.

The lack of oxygen and the production of H2S, methane and CO2, generated by the algae deterioration, can potentially cause the death of fish and other organisms. Therefore, in recent decades Zeolite has been used as substitute for sodium tripolyphosphate in detergents in European countries, as well as USA and Japan.

Up to 2005, the STPP represented 15% of the formula of powder soaps sold in Brazil. Regulation No. 359/2005 by the National Council of Environment (Conama, in Portuguese) has order the gradual reduction of this component in cleaning products. Some European countries have already eliminated the substance, and the global industry trend is to reduce the use of Sodium Tripolyphosphate.