**3. Scientific research and industrial applications of zeolites**

Almost three centuries have passed since the discovery of zeolites, and the interest in research of natural zeolite materials has not diminished. Equally, obtaining the optimal properties of synthetic zeolite for their technological application is a priority in scientific research.

**5**

*Introductory Chapter: Zeolites - From Discovery to New Applications on the Global Market*

In 2007 the sixth edition of "The Atlas of Zeolites" was published, in which the data for each of the 176 unique zeolite framework types are presented [9]. Of the total natural zeolites discovered (more then 60), only six occur in large quantities in the natural deposits worldwide: analcime (ANA), chabazite (CHA), clinoptilolite (HEU), erionite (ERI), mordenite (MOR), and phillipsite (PHI). Ferrierite (FER)

Each of the seven natural zeolites has been synthesized, but only mordenite and ferrierite are synthesized in large quantities (synthetic mordenite has large pores

Commercial natural zeolite deposits are primarily found in the USA (volcanic tuffs in saline, alkaline lake deposits, and open hydrologic systems). If both natural and synthetic zeolites are equally available in commercial quantity, synthetic zeolite will be more acceptable because the process of removing impurities from natural

Even though there is a large number of scientific research which describes properties, structures, characteristics, physical and chemical processes of absorption, and ionic exchange of zeolites with the use of modern techniques, still some of the properties and processes are not completely understood, especially the ones related to natural zeolites. Still there is room for further research and application of these

Zeolites have found application in almost all areas of agriculture and animal husbandry, biotechnology, medicine, chemical industry, construction industry, oil and natural gas industry, water processing, etc., as well as new technologies which contribute to sustainable development. Due to their specific properties, high thermal and hydrothermal stability, as well as environmental acceptability, zeolites are an alternative to similar materials that are not economically and environmentally

Since the first industrial applications (during the beginning of the twentieth century) until today, demand for zeolites has permanently grown, whether they are used individually or in combination with other micro- and nanoporous materials. New scientific research of synthetic zeolites contributes to the further development of highly active and selective synthetic zeolites used as catalysts, adsorbents, and

The increasing number of national and world technological innovation (patents) allows the new industrial applications of zeolite materials, which positively affect economic growth and development with the emphasis on zeolite materials

Zeolite markets (natural and synthetic products) are developed on all continents, shown in **Figure 3**. The largest market of zeolites is in the USA, followed by

In 2016 the zeolite global market was estimated at 29.08 billion USD with an expected growth of 2.5% in the period from 2016 to 2022. Therefore, zeolite global

Market research companies have published reports in which the following are presented: zeolite market size, share, and trends analysis report by product, by application, and by region, for the specific estimated period. Some of their data are shown in **Table 1**. The value of compounded annual rate of growth (CAGR) is

Global zeolite market share (by products) shows that the synthetic zeolites have

the Asia-Pacific area, China, India, Europe, and other markets.

incredible microporous materials in areas which are still unexplored.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92907*

while natural mordenite has small pores) [10].

ion exchangers with high capacity and selectivity.

a bigger share than the natural zeolites (**Figure 4**).

market could achieve a value of 33.8 USD until 2022 [37].

referring to the valuation before the COVID-19 pandemic.

that do not pollute the environment [35, 36].

zeolite is significantly more expensive.

acceptable [11–34].

**3.1 Global zeolite market**

occurs in a few large deposits.

#### *Introductory Chapter: Zeolites - From Discovery to New Applications on the Global Market DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92907*

In 2007 the sixth edition of "The Atlas of Zeolites" was published, in which the data for each of the 176 unique zeolite framework types are presented [9]. Of the total natural zeolites discovered (more then 60), only six occur in large quantities in the natural deposits worldwide: analcime (ANA), chabazite (CHA), clinoptilolite (HEU), erionite (ERI), mordenite (MOR), and phillipsite (PHI). Ferrierite (FER) occurs in a few large deposits.

Each of the seven natural zeolites has been synthesized, but only mordenite and ferrierite are synthesized in large quantities (synthetic mordenite has large pores while natural mordenite has small pores) [10].

Commercial natural zeolite deposits are primarily found in the USA (volcanic tuffs in saline, alkaline lake deposits, and open hydrologic systems). If both natural and synthetic zeolites are equally available in commercial quantity, synthetic zeolite will be more acceptable because the process of removing impurities from natural zeolite is significantly more expensive.

Even though there is a large number of scientific research which describes properties, structures, characteristics, physical and chemical processes of absorption, and ionic exchange of zeolites with the use of modern techniques, still some of the properties and processes are not completely understood, especially the ones related to natural zeolites. Still there is room for further research and application of these incredible microporous materials in areas which are still unexplored.

Zeolites have found application in almost all areas of agriculture and animal husbandry, biotechnology, medicine, chemical industry, construction industry, oil and natural gas industry, water processing, etc., as well as new technologies which contribute to sustainable development. Due to their specific properties, high thermal and hydrothermal stability, as well as environmental acceptability, zeolites are an alternative to similar materials that are not economically and environmentally acceptable [11–34].

Since the first industrial applications (during the beginning of the twentieth century) until today, demand for zeolites has permanently grown, whether they are used individually or in combination with other micro- and nanoporous materials. New scientific research of synthetic zeolites contributes to the further development of highly active and selective synthetic zeolites used as catalysts, adsorbents, and ion exchangers with high capacity and selectivity.

The increasing number of national and world technological innovation (patents) allows the new industrial applications of zeolite materials, which positively affect economic growth and development with the emphasis on zeolite materials that do not pollute the environment [35, 36].

#### **3.1 Global zeolite market**

Zeolite markets (natural and synthetic products) are developed on all continents, shown in **Figure 3**. The largest market of zeolites is in the USA, followed by the Asia-Pacific area, China, India, Europe, and other markets.

Global zeolite market share (by products) shows that the synthetic zeolites have a bigger share than the natural zeolites (**Figure 4**).

In 2016 the zeolite global market was estimated at 29.08 billion USD with an expected growth of 2.5% in the period from 2016 to 2022. Therefore, zeolite global market could achieve a value of 33.8 USD until 2022 [37].

Market research companies have published reports in which the following are presented: zeolite market size, share, and trends analysis report by product, by application, and by region, for the specific estimated period. Some of their data are shown in **Table 1**. The value of compounded annual rate of growth (CAGR) is referring to the valuation before the COVID-19 pandemic.

*Zeolites - New Challenges*

**4**

**Figure 2.**

**Figure 1.**

techniques), are shown in **Figure 2**.

*their industrial applications [7, 8].*

priority in scientific research.

of zeolite materials), a synthetic analog zeolite-mordenite [6] was synthesized. Intensive research on the synthesis as well as physical and chemical properties of zeolites (absorption, ion exchange, dehydration) enabled the industrial application of zeolites. Significant discoveries and research of zeolites, as well as the beginning of modern zeolite science (parallel with the development of new instrumental

*The mineral stilbite (left) and the crystal structure (framework) of the stilbite group (right) [4].*

*Early discoveries of zeolite materials and their characteristics, the beginning of the modern zeolite science, and* 

Almost three centuries have passed since the discovery of zeolites, and the interest in research of natural zeolite materials has not diminished. Equally, obtaining the optimal properties of synthetic zeolite for their technological application is a

**3. Scientific research and industrial applications of zeolites**

#### **Figure 3.**

*Zeolite market segmented by continents.*

#### **Figure 4.**

*Global zeolite market share (by products).*


#### **Table 1.**

*Estimation of global zeolite markets growth (data were taken from market research company reports).*

Estimations of market research companies are that the market of natural zeolites will have slower growth until the year 2030, considering limitations such as the high price of raw materials, high costs of transportation of raw materials, and availability of alternative materials in specific areas of industrial application (such as

**7**

*Introductory Chapter: Zeolites - From Discovery to New Applications on the Global Market*

enzymes, metals, and other chemical compounds in catalysis processes). However, natural zeolites hold an advantage over other materials because they are nontoxic and ecologically acceptable and as such materials can meet the demands which are

Unlike natural zeolites, the demand for synthetic zeolites until the year 2030 is

Global markets depend on a series of factors such as political and economic situations as well as other factors that cannot be influenced or predicted. One such factor is the COVID-19 pandemic which (according to first forecasts) caused a change in market conditions and slowed down technological progress and the start of new production, as well as made launching new products on the market based on

Today, the humankind is faced with many threats such as (i) drought and lack of freshwater caused by climate change, (ii) political and economic instabilities, and (iii) dangerous pandemics such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which caused slowing down of scientific research, economic growth, and development and even

With current use of zeolites in agriculture, animal husbandry, water processing, numerous industries (chemical, oil, construction, etc.) biotechnology, medicine, etc., the future of zeolite application opens up new possibilities for research, development, and technological application in still undiscovered areas such as medication and antimicrobial application [46], which would allow new global markets for

Furthermore, the application of zeolites in technologies that can contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions (one of the greenhouse gases which contributes to

Scientific research of natural zeolites poses a challenge in zeolite science because there are still many unexplored properties of this fascinating, ecologically friendly, and truly useful microporous material. Further research on natural zeolite and production of new synthetic zeolites open up possibilities of their application in still unexplored areas in the near future because their application requires low technical

climate change) could have a significant role in their future use [47–49].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92907*

set by environment protection laws.

zeolite materials harder.

zeolites.

**5. Conclusions**

**Conflict of interest**

estimated to grow in areas of industrial application [38].

**4. New challenges in research and application of zeolites**

brought into question the survival of mankind.

complexity and initial infrastructure investment.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

*Introductory Chapter: Zeolites - From Discovery to New Applications on the Global Market DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92907*

enzymes, metals, and other chemical compounds in catalysis processes). However, natural zeolites hold an advantage over other materials because they are nontoxic and ecologically acceptable and as such materials can meet the demands which are set by environment protection laws.

Unlike natural zeolites, the demand for synthetic zeolites until the year 2030 is estimated to grow in areas of industrial application [38].

Global markets depend on a series of factors such as political and economic situations as well as other factors that cannot be influenced or predicted. One such factor is the COVID-19 pandemic which (according to first forecasts) caused a change in market conditions and slowed down technological progress and the start of new production, as well as made launching new products on the market based on zeolite materials harder.

## **4. New challenges in research and application of zeolites**

Today, the humankind is faced with many threats such as (i) drought and lack of freshwater caused by climate change, (ii) political and economic instabilities, and (iii) dangerous pandemics such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which caused slowing down of scientific research, economic growth, and development and even brought into question the survival of mankind.

With current use of zeolites in agriculture, animal husbandry, water processing, numerous industries (chemical, oil, construction, etc.) biotechnology, medicine, etc., the future of zeolite application opens up new possibilities for research, development, and technological application in still undiscovered areas such as medication and antimicrobial application [46], which would allow new global markets for zeolites.

Furthermore, the application of zeolites in technologies that can contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions (one of the greenhouse gases which contributes to climate change) could have a significant role in their future use [47–49].

### **5. Conclusions**

*Zeolites - New Challenges*

**6**

*\**

**Table 1.**

**Figure 4.**

**Figure 3.**

*Global zeolite market share (by products).*

*Zeolite market segmented by continents.*

High-quality transportation fuels and

Cement, animal feed industry, wastewater

chemical products

treatment

*\*\*NA, not available.*

*MRC, market research company.*

**Natural and synthetic zeolite/application Zeolite** 

Paints and coating industry 53.4 million

Detergents 1.4 billion

Synthetic zeolite market 19.81 billion

Estimations of market research companies are that the market of natural zeolites will have slower growth until the year 2030, considering limitations such as the high price of raw materials, high costs of transportation of raw materials, and availability of alternative materials in specific areas of industrial application (such as

*Estimation of global zeolite markets growth (data were taken from market research company reports).*

**market size**

4.15 billion USD

USD

USD

6.6 billion USD

USD

Adsorbents, ion exchange, catalyst \*\*NA 2019–2026 2.73% [43]

Membrane \*\*NA 2017–2025 3.7% [40]

**Forecast period**

**CAGR Ref.** 

2019–2024 5.3% [39]

2016–2024 3.2% [41]

2018–2028 2.6% [42]

2019–2026 4.9% [44]

2017–2025 4.6% [45]

**(\*MRC)**

Scientific research of natural zeolites poses a challenge in zeolite science because there are still many unexplored properties of this fascinating, ecologically friendly, and truly useful microporous material. Further research on natural zeolite and production of new synthetic zeolites open up possibilities of their application in still unexplored areas in the near future because their application requires low technical complexity and initial infrastructure investment.

## **Conflict of interest**

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

*Zeolites - New Challenges*
