Natural zeolites occurring in our deposits (Chabazite and Phillipsite) are tecto-silicates of volcanic origin; precisely they are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkaline (Na, K) and alkaline-earth elements (Ca, Mg). Zeolites show an unusual crystal structure (framework) consisting of a tetrahedral network of oxygen and silicon atoms (SiO^44-) where aluminium replacing some of the silicon atoms give to the structure a negative charge. This tridimensional structure is characterized by channels and cavities which host extraframework ions and polar molecules such as water.
The above structural features provide to these minerals exclusive chemical-physical properties as :
HIGH CATIONIC EXCHANGE CAPACITY (C.E.C)
CONSIDERABLE ATTITUDE TO WATER ABSORPTION-DESORPTION.
For the above properties natural zeolites (chabazite and phillipsite) of our deposits are utilized in the following applications:

• animal nutrition: as natural mineral additive for animal feed ;
• ecological agriculture: as natural corrective of soils and other cultural substrata ( peat, mould, perlite, pumice, etc.) ;
• environment: as absorbent product in the chemical-physical depuration and as bio-mineral substratum for micro-organisms in the biological depuration.
  

CHABAZITE-PHILLIPSITE ZEOLITITE (zeolitite = zeolite-bearing rock with zeolite > 50 % wt.)

MAX ZEOLITE CONTENT (CHABAZITE + PHILLIPSITE) : 79 % wt.

AUTHIGENIC PHASES: CHABAZITE and PHILLIPSITE
PRIMARY PHASES: SANIDINE (K-FELDSPAR), BIOTITE (MICA), PYROXENE.

BULK DENSITY: 2,10 g/cm³
APPARENT DENSITY: 0,70 ÷ 1,05 g/cm³
WATER CONTENT MAX: 7 %
ACID-ALKALINE RESISTANCE RANGE: 4 ¸ 8 pH
THERMAL RESISTANCE MAX: 350 °C

AMMONIUM (NH⁴⁺) C.E.C. MAX: 195 meq/100 g
TOTAL C.E.C. MAX: 233 meq/100g such as :
44 meq/100g for Na⁺
40 meq/100g for K⁺
130 meq/100g for Ca²⁺
19 meq/100g for Mg²⁺

CABASITE: K⁺ > Ag⁺ > Rb⁺ > NH⁴⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Na⁺
Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > Ca²⁺
PHILLIPSITE: Cs⁺ Rb⁺ K⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺
Ba²⁺ > Ca²⁺ Na+ Sr²⁺