Most modern laundry detergent powders and tablets that do not contain phosphate, contain zeolites. Zeolites are ion exchange builders that replace the water hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) with sodium ions. While there are about 40 known naturally occurring zeolite minerals, there are many hundreds of synthetic zeolites (or synthetic clays) commercially available.  It is from these specifically engineered, synthetic types that products are chosen for commercial use.  Natural zeolites are no longer used because they are less efficient, less consistent and more expensive than their synthetic counterparts. 

Zeolites are insoluble additives in detergent powder formula and are currently loosing favour from both an environmental and performance perspective.  They are neither biodegradable nor degradable by any other means and depending on the environment, into which they are put, can either continue to hold calcium, magnesium and heavy metals or release them into the waterways.  Laundry powders of this type can contain 20 - 40% of these insoluble chemical compounds and so there is a fair amount of very fine insoluble powder floating around in the wash thence to our waterways.  

After many years of existence, ZEAD (Zeolites Adsorbents Sector Group) and ZEODET (Association of Detergent Zeolite Producers) Sector Groups have decided to join their forces, officially as from January 2006.

The new EUZEPA sector group (European Zeolites Producers Association) is represented by 10 companies which have already got the experience to work together on common issues like e.g. BREF and ICCA HPV. The Working Structure, Operating Rules and running budget have been adopted during its first General Assembly.

By this fusion, EUZEPA will get a bigger representation and a better organisation, bringing the focus not only on one specific application or another but on the broad family of zeolites.

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Zeolites are abundant in nature and are commonly found in rocks of volcanic origin. When rapidly heated, stones containing these materials are observed to release water and appear to boil.

The name “zeolite” which is derived from the Greek words Zeo and Lithos reflects this property as it translates as “stone that boils”. Zeolites, often also called molecular sieves, are used in a wide range of applications including detergents, catalysts and desiccants.

Naturally occurring zeolites are rarely pure and are therefore often unsuitable for commercial applications. For detergents, synthetic zeolite grades have been developed to fulfil the role of the product “builder”. The main function of a builder in detergent products is to soften the wash water by extracting water hardness components (present as calcium and magnesium compounds). Additionally, in detergent powders, builders can also absorb liquid components of the formulation (such as surfactants) so as to maintain dry, free-flowing powder characteristics.

In view of their high functionality and their favorable safety and ecological properties, synthetic zeolites have become widely employed by the Detergents Industry. This has been particularly important in many countries since alternative builder materials have now been banned or restricted due to environmental concerns associated with their use.