Hydrotalcite: the darling of the science world

Hydrotalcite is Kisuma’s primary product. It is a versatile substance. Our R&D department has good reason for working nonstop to find intelligent applications for hydrotalcite, often uncovering interesting insights. 

Countless possibilities

The possibilities for hydrotalcite are endless. The product can be used as an anti-corrosion agent in paint, adhesive, or reinforced concrete as well as for catalysts and catalyst carriers. Furthermore, the product has properties that make it suitable for the controlled release of active substances. It comes with a number of significant advantages.

• Reliable and effective. The special mechanism by which hydrotalcite captures acids is effective and reliable. When undesirable substances are caught in the intermediate layer of the hydrotalcite, they become completely harmless. The way in which hydrotalcite works means that there are no longer issues with migration or odors.
• Safe for people and the environment. Our parent company makes hydrotalcite products that are sold worldwide as gastric acid inhibitors. Many of our products are approved for use in plastics that are in direct contact with food.

It is precisely because of these unique properties that hydrotalcite lends itself perfectly to innovative partnerships.  One of these partnerships is the STEPWISE project. Together with eight other partners, we are working on a technology that uses a modified Kisuma hydrotalcite to drastically reduce the CO2 emissions of the steel industry while simultaneously producing hydrogen (H2). This is a unique project that, if successful, will be groundbreaking.

What’s new?

Hydrotalcite has more applications than just the STEPWISE project: the sky is practically the limit. The potential uses truly run the gamut. For example, it is suitable for the gradual release of fertilizer in the agricultural sector. However, the industrial sector can also benefit from hydrotalcite. We are currently working on an anti-corrosion project for steel coatings. We worked with TNO on a project for an anti-corrosion pigment in reinforced concrete. As a follow-up to that project, we have further developed that pigment for use in anti-corrosion coatings for metal. Comprehensive tests are currently under way to determine whether the anti-corrosion pigment is suitable for coatings specifically for use on steel.

The medical world also seems to be interested in hydrotalcite as a basic substance. For example, a prospective customer based in the UK has shown interest in hydrotalcite as a coating for medications. This time around, the idea was to develop an analgesic with its active ingredient enclosed in the intermediate layer of our material. This allows the active ingredient to be gradually released into the body, which is a lot less harsh on your stomach.  There are even potential applications for hydrotalcite in the cosmetics industry. Some time ago, there was a university in London that showed an interest in hydrotalcite as an additive in toothpaste. They wanted to use our product to incorporate and release fluoride in a controlled way, so you could have the right amount of fluoride in your mouth all day long. They tried the material and achieved positive results with it. Now it remains to be seen whether a large party is interested in the idea.

Is hydrotalcite the substance you have been waiting for?

It is clear that hydrotalcite is a very interesting material. Are you a manufacturer, university, or product developer with a fantastic idea? Share it with us! We are always open to a promising collaboration.

Do you have an interesting idea for the use of hydrotalcite? If so, please contact us to discuss the possibilities!