Zeolites are minerals which are microporous and aluminosilicate in nature. It is used as a catalyst and absorbent commercially. The name zeolite gave by a mineralogist of Sweden named Axel Fredrik Cronstedt.

Many years ago, These natural minerals created when the volcanic ash falls into an alkaline water source the solution made by it put under pressure. This process resulted in a 3D structure of Silicon, Aluminium, Hydrogen and oxygen and known as Zeolite.

This structure is in a crystal framework which has a honeycomb network along with pores. This unique structure with many surfaces provides a vast surface area for the exchange of chemicals and absorption.

Zeolite is rare minerals that have a negative charge naturally. Because of the combination of the honeycomb structure and negative charge permit Zeolite to absorb both liquid as well as compound. The negativity of the zeolite balanced with the cation of such metals like Ca, Mg, K and Na.

40 different types of zeolite are present on the earth. And their existence depends upon the condition throughout the evolution. Some common types of Zeolites are analcime, chabazite, clinoptilolite, heulandite, natrolite, phillipsite, and stilbite etc.

The traditional open-pit mining techniques extract zeolite. The excess is separated so that they can get the ore. The ore may be blasted or stripped by using tractors fitted with rippers and front-end loaders. In the further procedure, the ore is crushed, dried and milled. Then the milled ore gets air classified according to their particle size and then shipped in the bags.

Some countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Jordon, USA etc.. are the primary producers of Zeolite.

Though Zeolite is a natural product, the human has developed the technique for the synthesis of Zeolite. There are over 200 species of synthetic Zeolite which are produced by the process of crystallisation of the get of silica and alumina in the existence of alkali and organic templets.

Zeolite uses both as commercial and domestic. Zeolite utilises in the agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, treatment and filtration of water, odour control. In chemistry, these are used to separate the molecules because of their negative charge.
They are highly reactive in chemical reaction because of Their pored structure and adjustable acidity, So they are a useful catalyst and absorbents.

The zeolite is generally imported from south-east Asia in New Zealand by several companies. But Naturally, it is found in the Taupo volcanic zone in New Zealand. About 250,000 years ago an intense volcanic activity generated substantial ash showers, which washed and dissolved into the lakes by forming the sediments.  Later the thermal action applies hot water on these beds, and they transform into the soft rocks with a particular structure which is now called Zeolite.

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