Natural Zeolite from Sukabumi Indonesia is a porous aluminosilicate mineral formed from volcanic rock alteration. With its unique structure, it can trap water, gases, and metal ions, making it highly useful in agriculture, industry, and environmental applications.
Indonesia is among the countries with substantial natural zeolite reserves, primarily distributed in West Java (Sukabumi, Tasikmalaya, Bandung), Lampung, and West Nusa Tenggara. Of these, Sukabumi is recognized as one of the most significant production centers.
Distribution and Mining of Natural Zeolite in Sukabumi Indonesia
The Sukabumi region (including subdistricts such as Cikembar) is a key area for natural zeolite deposits in Indonesia. Mineralogical studies and reports confirm the presence of deposits containing a mix of mordenite, clinoptilolite, and quartz.
Numerous mining and processing companies operate in the area, including PT Excellent Zeolit Indonesia, which focuses on the extraction and processing of natural zeolite. The presence of several companies in Cikembar highlights the richness of the reserves and their sustainable use to support both domestic industries and export markets.
Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristics of Sukabumi Natural Zeolite
Research on Indonesian zeolites (including samples from Sukabumi) consistently shows that zeolitic tuff is a mixture of minerals rather than a single, pure zeolite.
Typical characteristics and ranges commonly reported in the literature (varying by location and sample) include:
- Dominant minerals: Quartz, Mordenite, Clinoptilolite, occasionally Heulandite
- General chemical composition:
- SiO₂ ≈ 65–75%
- Al₂O₃ ≈ 10–15%
- CaO, MgO, K₂O, Fe₂O₃ usually small (≈ 0.5–3% each)
Other general features:
- Color: light gray to greenish
- Mineral content: Some deposits contain moderate levels of clinoptilolite (≈10–20%) alongside natural impurities such as quartz, feldspar, and clay.
Clinoptilolite and mordenite are the most common zeolite minerals found in Sukabumi. Both are widely recognized for their strong adsorption and ion-exchange properties.
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of Natural Zeolite from Sukabumi
One of the most important quality parameters of zeolite is Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), which refers to its ability to exchange metal ions within its crystalline cavities.
CEC measures how effectively a material can hold or exchange cations (e.g., NH₄⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺) and is typically reported in milliequivalents per 100 grams (meq/100g). This parameter is crucial for applications such as agriculture, ammonia absorption, and ion exchange.
Natural zeolite from Indonesia, particularly from Sukabumi, generally has a CEC ranging from 60–90 meq/100g, which falls into the medium-to-high category (CEC >70 is often considered high).
This strong ion-exchange capacity makes Sukabumi zeolite widely used for heavy metal absorption, ammonia removal, and as an ion exchanger in water and soil filtration systems.
Physical Properties and Technical Benefits of Indonesian Natural Zeolite
Beyond its chemical and mineralogical characteristics, Sukabumi zeolite is also valued for its physical properties, which enhance its industrial applications:
- Uniform microporous structure → capable of filtering small molecules such as ammonia and heavy metals
- Low bulk density → easy to mix in feed, fertilizer, or filtration media formulations
- Low natural moisture content (3–5%) → ensures better stability during storage
- Thermal stability up to ±400°C → suitable for drying and heating applications
Applications of Natural Zeolite from Sukabumi in Agriculture and Industry
With these combined characteristics, Sukabumi natural zeolite is applied in various sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- As a fertilizer carrier for controlled nutrient release
- Enhancing water and nutrient retention in sandy soils
- Livestock and Feed
- As a feed additive to bind ammonia in the digestive tract
- Reducing odor and maintaining litter quality in poultry farms
- Waste and Water Treatment
- Absorbing heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn) from industrial wastewater
- Serving as a filtration medium in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)
- Industry
- As a filter media, drying agent, and ion exchanger
- Raw material in chemical, cement, and catalyst industries
Market Potential of Sukabumi Natural Zeolite in Indonesia and Abroad
With abundant reserves, stable quality, and strategic proximity to major ports, natural zeolite from Sukabumi holds great potential to serve both domestic and international markets.
The presence of mining companies in this region, particularly in Cikembar, further strengthens Sukabumi’s position as one of Indonesia’s main centers for natural zeolite production and export.
Conclusion
Natural zeolite is a non-metallic mineral resource of strategic importance for Indonesia.
With diverse mineral composition, strong adsorption capacity, and abundant reserves, Sukabumi zeolite deserves recognition as one of Indonesia’s key mineral resources supporting the future of sustainable industries.
References
- Geological Agency, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (2020). Potential and Distribution of Zeolite in Indonesia
- Surono, S. (2018). Characteristics of Natural Zeolite from Several Regions in Indonesia. Journal of Indonesian Geology
- Mumpton, F. A. (1999). La roca magica: Uses of natural zeolites in agriculture and industry. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- British Geological Survey (BGS). (2021). Natural Zeolites: Mineral Profile
- Geoservices Laboratory Indonesia (2023). General analysis report on Indonesian natural zeolite samples
Contact Us
PT Excellent Zeolit Indonesia, based in Cikembar, supplies natural zeolite in powder, granule, and chip forms. All products come with Certificates of Analysis (COA) and XRD test results from accredited laboratories, ensuring consistent quality and reliable raw materials.
