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.