5 questions you need to ask your zeolite seller:
We want to contribute to raising awareness. And customers should develop an understanding, form their own opinions, and be able to ask questions. Because we're sometimes very surprised by what's written in product descriptions that simply doesn't exist. Or can't exist. We then just stare wide-eyed and say: probably a typo.
We're getting a lot of persistent emails advertising Lifekraft Zeolite as "EXCELLENT." I already know this, but here's the kicker: I can buy it for €2,800 for two years. Out of curiosity, I checked who's already purchased this rating, which you can then use for a year or two. → What I'm trying to say is, I understand why our customers are so confused and uncertain. You can even buy an unverified quality criterion... It saddens me.
Here you will find questions that you can use to check and verify the quality of the zeolite and the integrity of the seller. Prof. Dr. Hecht also used these questions to check us, and they were always very important to him.
1. Where is zeolite mined?
Not all mining areas have the composition that zeolite needs to be considered a feed additive. The clinoptilolite content must be >80%. Not all zeolites meet this requirement. So, inquire about the country of origin . The Carpathian Mountains are long. Within them lie three different zeolite mining areas: Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, each with different compositions. Professor Hecht considers the silicon-to-aluminum ratio more important than the clinoptilolite content. This should be at least 5:1 , ideally 6:1 – six times as much silicon as aluminum . This ratio also guarantees that the aluminum is firmly bound to the silicon and cannot detach. Never. So, pay attention to the ratio. And here we are speaking exclusively of natural zeolite. Synthetic zeolites are different.
2. What is the grain size/particle size of the zeolite powder?
Too coarse a powder is too coarse. Because then it's not as effective, and if too little is used, you won't get the desired result. That's also why users sometimes say: "It didn't work." In that case, the zeolite powder was too coarse, or it was only vacuumed or sieved and not pulverized, broken down, and activated.
Ask to see the grain size measurement. It shows exactly what percentage of the grain size is what.
Read on below to find out which grain sizes are recommended for which application. >>
3. How was the zeolite ground?
The zeolite lattices must be opened. Zeolite must be activated. This happens most gently and purely through tribomechanical micronization. In this process, the material grinds itself down. The particles collide at tremendous speed in the turbulent airflow and grind themselves. This also generates the high ground energy and electrical charge . In contrast, there are ball mills that crush zeolite with high abrasion. The abrasion from the balls is adsorbed. The result is that the zeolite is already quite saturated and no longer absorbs as much, and even worse, that it is contaminated with heavy metals.
We frequently receive photos of customers holding a magnet next to zeolite "dissolved" in water, only to be horrified to see how black it turns. Therefore, please be aware of this. The finer zeolite is ground with conventional ball mills, the longer it is milled between the balls, and the more abrasion can occur. Recently, we heard and saw that a zeolite seller had to recall a zeolite product because that batch was contaminated with high levels of heavy metals. These heavy metals enter the zeolite through the milling process and perhaps also during transport. It's a cynical example of a product that's supposed to detoxify, but is actually poisoning. And all of this is damaging the reputation of this amazing, versatile natural product. Unfortunately.
4. How was the raw material transported?
Professor Hecht drilled this into us. Zeolite, transported for long hours across Europe, possibly unsealed, in bulk or in open big bags or paper sacks, absorbs a great deal from its surroundings due to its inherent adsorption capacity. Do the mining sites meet sufficient quality standards? Or is there cross-contamination because the trucks previously transported other materials, which may still be in the crevices of the truck bed and thus contaminate the zeolite? This is also why we only have our zeolite from eastern Slovakia delivered in sealed big bags and then offer, for example, HORSEKRAFT zeolite in easily resealable buckets and containers. In horse stables, there are many animals that curiously nibble on bags and are very inquisitive about anything open.
Zeolite must be stored in tightly resealable containers. Ideally, plastic containers (BPA-free, please) or glass containers are best. Zeolite is absorbent . It attracts water and substances. We at Steinkraft Zeolite, for use in cosmetics and as an animal feed additive, examined all paper bags and decided against them. Even those with inner linings did not meet our quality criteria.
5. Was the zeolite powder produced by a registered animal feed manufacturer?
These products have high quality standards that they must meet, and they are inspected very regularly and unannounced by the feed authority . And the feed authority in Austria is extremely strict. They suddenly appear at our door and examine everything very closely. They review our internal controls and monitor compliance with feed safety and hygiene regulations. If anything is amiss, a complaint is immediately filed, an official order is issued, and the feed manufacturer must react without delay. The Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES) ensures rapid corrective and optimization cycles.
That feels good, doesn't it?
What we at Steinkraft value – the most important criteria for zeolite summarized:
Importance of knowing quality criteria
We place great importance on ensuring our customers understand the quality criteria for zeolite and can make their own informed decisions. It is also crucial that customers can visually or tactilely assess the fineness of the powder. To facilitate the identification and assessment of particle sizes, we plan to create a video.
Understanding "ultrafine" in zeolite products
Many zeolite products are advertised as "ultrafine," but this can be misleading. A recently examined zeolite product for dogs, advertised as "ultrafine," actually had a particle size of 95 microns (d50). This means that 50% of the product is coarser than 95 microns (µm), which we at Steinkraft Zeolite absolutely do not consider ultrafine.
Different grain sizes and their applications
Zeolite products often vary in particle size, frequently exceeding 50 microns. In some mining areas, the raw material is sieved down to 50 microns and sold as a commodity. Such particle sizes are suitable for industrial purposes, but not recommended for other applications such as feed optimization, soil amendments, foliar fertilizers, face masks, or tooth brushing.
Recommendations for zeolite grain sizes• Horses : Average grain size [d50] of 24 µm. • Dogs and cats : 14 µm. • Humans : 8 µm, recommended by Prof. Hecht. • Slurry treatment : 35 µm, to float in the slurry and not settle. • Foliar fertilizer : Less than 8 µm for effective absorption through the stomata of plants. • Cat litter box : Larger granules to avoid dust. • Soil amendments : A grain size of 35 µm is recommended. |
Importance of the milling process
The milling process is crucial for the quality of the zeolite. Ball mills that grind zeolite to 8 µm often cause abrasion, which stresses the zeolite's crystal lattice. A tribomechanical milling process, such as our Air2Air Activation technology, prevents this abrasion and ensures a higher purity of the final product.
conclusion
To ensure the best quality and effectiveness, we recommend that customers always check and critically question the particle size distribution, especially when products are advertised as "ultra-fine".
AND: Do the magnet test. Put zeolite in a glass of water, stir, and hold a magnet to the outside edge of the glass. Customers send us photos of what it looks like when a black cloud forms. These are the impurities that get into the product due to improper storage and, above all, the milling process. You don't want a product like that on your skin. Or in your bathwater. And certainly not on your teeth.
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