# Zeolites: Emissions

Probably as light as crushed rock, but unmeasured

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/emissions/

What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint of the commodity at a global level, split by lifecycle phase: extraction (or farming), refining and processing, movement, usage, and recycling or end of life. Intensities are per unit of product; the global total combines intensity with world output. Also covers other environmental impacts and the main levers to cut emissions.

Per t of natural zeolite product at the mill gate, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: United States Antimony Corp technical report 2025; analogue MPA 2009 via BGS 2010 (indicative). Global total: USGS MCS 2026.

#### Footprint by lifecycle phase

| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Extraction** | a few kg CO2e/t (analogue) | – | drill, blast and truck from open-pit benches | comparable rock quarrying and crushing averages about 4.3 kg CO2/t (Mineral Products Association 2009 via BGS 2010), an indicative analogue | Bear River Zeolite technical report 2025; MPA 2009 |
| **Refining / processing** | a few kg CO2e/t for dry crushing and screening; more for heat-activated grades (not published) | – | electric crushers and screens in enclosed sheds; dryers or kilns for activation | no water, reagents or tailings at Bear River | United States Antimony Corp, 2025 |
| **Movement** | about 4.5 kg CO2e/t per 25 km by truck (derived) | – | road haul of bagged and bulk product to regional buyers | low value keeps markets regional | ERM for The Crown Estate, 2010 (derived) |
| **Usage** | as pozzolan, each t replacing clinker avoids roughly 0.7 t CO2 (derived) | – | replacement of clinker in blended cement | about 0.7 t CO2 per t of clinker (derived: 0.63 t/t cement, 80-90% from clinker, clinker ratio 0.76; Columbia CKI 2026), indicative | Columbia CKI 2026 (derived) |
| **Recycling / end of life** | water-treatment and desiccant zeolites can be regenerated and reused | – | reprocessing by washing or heating | USGS says quantities recycled are unknown; feed and soil uses end in the soil | USGS MCS 2026 |

#### Other environmental impacts

Some zeolite deposits contain fibrous erionite, a carcinogen, so deposits are tested. Synthetic zeolites, made chemically from sodium silicate and alumina, have a much higher footprint than natural ones (not quantified here).

#### Levers to cut emissions

- Use zeolitic tuff as a clinker substitute in cement (about 0.7 t CO2 avoided per t of clinker replaced, derived)
- Prefer natural over synthetic zeolites where performance allows
- Power crushing with renewable electricity
- Regenerate spent water-treatment media rather than replacing them

#### India

India is not listed by USGS as a natural zeolite producer (2024-2025), so its footprint is in imported and synthetic zeolites used in detergents and catalysts, which are not quantified here.
 Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/correlation/index.md)
- [Extraction](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/extraction/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/production/index.md)
- [Stocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/stocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/movement/index.md)
- [Criticality](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/criticality/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/characteristics/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/zeolites/links/index.md)