::  company brochure  ::  product information
		Product Information Zirconium is the 17th most common element on earth, and while not as well known as metals such as gold, silver, copper, iron, or zinc, it is inextricably linked with the everyday lives of almost everyone on earth. The explosion in Zirconium production since the mid 1980's is due to two factors, its unique chemistry and its ability to substitute for so-called heavy metals and other toxic compounds. Around the house Zirconium can be found in almost every room in the house from the bathroom to the Kitchen. In any room in the house, gloss paint, on internal woodwork may contain zirconium hexanoate. In most countries of the world, lead paint driers have been banned, and replaced with Zirconium. Zirconium additives keep the paint structure 'open' until it is dry. The coating on the wallpaper or the printed ink, may also contain a Zirconium derivative. The coating will contain ammonium Zirconium Carbonate, or Potassium Zirconium Carbonate. These Zirconium compounds are used to strengthen the coating as it goes through the printing process and have replaced formaldehyde, which is reputed to be carcinogenic. In the inks themselves, zirconium propionate may be used as an adhesion promoter. In the lounge a magazine may have the same Zirconium additives in the inks and coatings as the wallpaper. Woollen fabrics such as carpets or upholstery may contain Zirconium Acetate as a smoke suppressant potassium fluorozirconate as a flame suppressant. In the kitchen: Not very common, but do you have glass saucepans? Zr again, made with Zirconium Oxide! Those bottle labels and cereal packets may also contain Zirconium, just as on the magazine paper. In the bathroom: Ever used a roll on deodorant, that too could contain zirconium as zirconium chlorohydrate, and what about those coloured wall tiles, pinks, blues and yellows can contain Zirconium Oxide. On the way to work If you drive a car, or take the bus you are relying on Zrconium. Zirconium Oxide is an essential component of the catalyst in the exhaust system. Zirconium Oxide can also be incorporated in the ceramic component of a spark plug. Don't drive a car? You can still see all that white and yellow paintwork on the road, that too can contain Zirconium Acetate. If you drive a white vehicle, then thanks to Zirconium Sulphate and Zirconium Oxychloride, it will stay whiter for longer. At leisure Go camping or walking? Waterproofs are essential, and guess what, Zirconium Acetate is just the thing to produce the hard wearing zirconium-wax emulsions for those serious about their outdoor pursuits. Wear leather? Then Zirconium Sulphate might just have been the tanning agent. In the hospital Kidney dialysis is an unfortunate necessity of life for some people. There are two strategies for such treatments, one involves using 1000's of litres of water, the other uses just a few gallons, an enzyme, and Zirconium Phosphate. There is also a patent for a Zirconium compound that is claimed to reduce stomach bleeding induced by other medications. In the High Street Jewellery shops are a common high street feature, filled with sparkling stones, both real and Cubic Zirconia. High Tech If you are building rockets for the moon, or environmentally friendly fuel cells, producing optic cable for telecommunications, cracking or assembling polymers or jet engines, then you already know how essential Zirconium is.