Profiles of 7 of the leading Zinc oxide nanoparticles manufacturers.
Zinc oxide nanopowders find application across a raft of industries where they are used for their anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-corrosion, catalytic, and UV filtering properties. Nanoparticulate zinc oxide is transparent in the visible range of the light spectrum and acts as a physical filter against the UV-B and particularly UV-A radiation of the sun. Other interesting properties include high chemical stability and non-toxicity, and they have various morphologies such as nanowires, nanobelts, nanoplates and nanotubes.
The main application of Nano ZnO at present is as UV-resistant additive in sunscreens. The scale of ZnO particles used for sunscreens are in the range of 20 to 60 nm. Before being added, ZnO nanoparticles are coated with silicon or aluminium oxide. They then coalesce into aggregates sized 200 – 500 nm. Other applications of Nano ZnO include anti-microbials, conductive thin-films in blue laser diodes, solar cells, and LCDs, protective coatings (clear varnishes for wood products and furniture), transparent plastics and plastic films (plastic glasses), capacitors, varistors, photoprinting and electrophotography. They are currently used as ingredient in sunscreens. Research for utilization in LEDs and blue LEDs in particular as well as in solar cells is currently in the applied stage. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are also suited to electronics applications such as capacitors, varistors, photoprinting and electrophotography due to extremely low levels of heavy metal impurities. The products have well controlled size and surface area, which enable them to have better dispersability in the operating system. Due to its unique antibacterial function, nano-zinc oxides are widely used in rubber, coating, plastics and cosmetics. The main market at present for zinc oxide is in cosmetics and sunscreens. Studies carried out by industry and research groups have shown that ZnO nanoparticles in sunscreen products do not penetrate the body through the healthy skin, hence are not hazardous to the health of consumers. Further information on the NanoZnO sector can be found in the Future Markets, Inc. report “The World Market for Zinc Oxide Nanopowders” (www.futuremarketsinc.com). * This list to not necessarily represent all the leading producers of NanoZinc Oxide and does not include companies such as Grillo Zinkoxid GmbH and Symrise among others.
Umicore
www.umicore.com
THE COMPANY
Umicore is a specialty materials group which employs 14.000 people. Its activities are grouped in four business areas : Advanced Materials, Precious Metals Products ad Catalysts, Precious Metals Services and Zinc Specialties.
TECHNOLOGY
NOZIP® is a homogenous NanO Zinc Powder, consisting of spherical (loosely) agglomerated particles of about 100 nm (0,1 µm). This high purity powder has been developed for the chemical industry. Its high specific surface area and metallic content lead to an excellent reactivity, beneficial in chemical reactions (organic and organometallic synthesis) based on zinc powder.
Markets
End user markets are the chemicals, industrial pigments and cosmetics sectors.
Nanophase/BASF
www.nanophase.com
THE COMPANY
Nanophase Technologies produces nanocrystalline metal oxide powders via Physical-Vapour Synthesis (PVS).
TECHNOLOGY
NanoArc® Zinc Oxide nanopowder, is a 100% crystalline, non-porous, non-agglomerated particles produced in three mean particles sizes. The company produces over 500 tons per year for the cosmetics industry alone. In 2012, the company launched a new Zinc Oxide product (LSA) as part of its product line with BASF for application in sunscreens and daily wear cosmetics. BASF launched the LSA Zinc Oxide under its Z-Cote brand name in May 2012.
Markets
Animal hygiene, automotive, energy, exterior coatings, personal care, plastics and textiles.
Hakusui Tech
www.hakusui.co.jp
THE COMPANY
Hakusui Tech Co., Ltd. is a chemical manufacturer that produces rubber, paints, ceramics and other inorganic chemicals for industrial uses.
TECHNOLOGY
Zincox Super F consists of nanoparticles and is used in photocatalysts, deodorant and anti-bacterials due to its high BET. It is also used as a UV block agent using its high transparency ratio and its ability to block ultra-violet A.
Markets
Photocatalytic coatings, deodorants, car tires, personal care, cosmetics, sunscreens and anti-bacterial markets.
Elementis
www.elementis.com
THE COMPANY
The company is a manufacturer of rheological additives and pigment dispersions, serving the coatings, inks, adhesives, construction, and other industries.
TECHNOLOGY
NANOX 200 is an easily dispersed, highly effective UV absorbing nanometre sized zinc oxide powder. The particle size of NANOX® 200 zinc oxide, optimized at an average of 60 nanometres, achieves both maximum UV effectiveness and the essential transparency in formulations. Properties are:
• Highly transparent
• Strong UV A and UV B absorption
• High Purity
• Permanent UV absorption
• FDA approved for food contact plastics
Markets
Coatings, Inks, Packaging films, Plastics and Cosmetics. Main application is in sunscreens.
BYK
www.byk.com
THE COMPANY
BYK-Chemie supplies additives to the paint and plastics industry, where they are used, for example, in automotive paints, printing inks or wood and architectural coatings.
TECHNOLOGY
BYK offers nanoparticle dispersions of aluminium oxide, silica, zinc oxide, and ceria under the NANOBYK trade name. The particles are dispersed in a variety of solvents, providing easy handling and simple incorporation via post-addition into a wide range of coatings formulations. Silica- and alumina-based nanoparticles provide improved scratch and abrasion resistance, while ceria- and zinc oxide-based nanoparticle dispersions provide stabilization against UV radiation (UVA by zinc oxides and UVB by ceria).
Markets
Architectural and furniture coatings, wood stains, solvent-borne wood, furniture and industrial coatings.
Showa Denko
www.sdk.co.jp
THE COMPANY
Showa Denko is a Japanese-based producer of petrochemicals, chemicals, electronics, inorganic materials, aluminium materials and aluminium fabricated products.
TECHNOLOGY
Maxlight™ ZS is a silica-coated zinc oxide designed for sunscreen cosmetics. Maxlight™ ZS series has several advantages over conventional zinc oxide:
•Thin and uniform silica coating
• Reduced zinc ion-bleeding,
• A smooth touch and an excellent spreadability on skin
• Minimum photo-catalytic activity and a high photostability
• High transparency and a wide range UV-absorbance
• Good dispersibility
Markets
Sunscreens and cosmetics.
Sakai Chemical
www.sakai-chem.co.jp
THE COMPANY
SAKAI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY Co, Ltd. is a leading inorganic powder processing manufacturer including microparticulation and high purification, organic synthesis of sulfur and phosphorus compounds, medicine manufacturing technology, etc. and provides a variety of special products widely used in industries such as automotive, mobile phones, computers and flat panel displays.
TECHNOLOGY
Finex-50 is a nanoscale zinc oxide highly transparent UV-blocker finding application in high-factor sunscreen and cosmetics.
Markets
Sunscreen and cosmetics.
