Technology
Making it once is easy. Making it the same twice is not.
Zinc oxide is a mature material. What separates suppliers is whether the specification holds across lots. Three process stages determine that: precipitation, calcination, and surface treatment. Each is measured, not assumed.
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Particle size control
Particle size governs UV attenuation, transparency, and sensory feel. It also drifts with every change in precipitation conditions or calcination profile.
- D50 and distribution width
- Laser diffraction with microscopy cross-check
- Batch-to-batch reproducibility
Surface treatment
Uncoated zinc oxide is photocatalytically active, which is a problem in a formulation containing organic UV filters, fragrances, or actives. Inorganic coating suppresses that activity.
- Silica and alumina coatings
- Photocatalytic activity reduction
- Dispersion stability in oil and silicone phases
Quality control
A specification is only real if it is measured every lot. We test the parameters that change behaviour in formulation, not just the ones that are easy to run.
- Specific surface area (BET)
- Crystal phase (XRD)
- Moisture, pH, and per-lot COA