What is Zinc Oxide ? Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a fine white powder. The first use of industrially manufactured zinc oxide was the production of white paints.

Three different processes are used for its manufacture - two thermal processes and a wet chemical process. One thermal process starts from metallic zinc, the other from oxidic zinc residues or ores. In both processes, zinc vapour is generated and burned to zinc oxide. In the wet process, zinc is leached from zinc containing raw materials and then precipitated as zinc hydroxide/-carbonate. The precipitate is calcinated to ZnO.

The main uses of zinc oxide are in rubber, ceramics, optical glass and paints. Zinc oxide is also a component of anticorrosive and antifouling paints.

Further industrial applications are the production of lubricant additives, various zinc organic and anorganic compounds, steel galvanizing, adhesives, batteries and electronic components such as varistors and ferrites. High purity grades are used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries for manufacture of ointments, baby and skin cream, tooth pastes, dental cement and deodorants.

Zinc oxide catalysts are used for removing hydrogen sulphide from gases and liquids. ZnO is also added to animal food and fertilizers.