Arkema – advancing mineral processing to meet tomorrow’s demands today
As the world races toward a more sustainable, digital, and populous future, the demand for critical minerals has never been greater. From phosphate rock to support global food security to lithium and high-purity quartz for energy storage and electronics, the pressure on mineral supply chains continues to grow. At the same time, ore grades are declining, mineralogy is becoming more complex, and sustainability standards are rising – making efficient beneficiation more essential than ever.
Arkema’s Senior Chemist Zachary Bauer told IM that this is where it comes in – with over five decades of flotation expertise and a proven track record in supporting the mining industry across a wide range of oxide mineral applications.
Arkema specialises in oxide mineral flotation and offers two primary collector product lines: CustoFloat® (anionic collectors) and CustAmine® (cationic collectors). These technologies enable the direct flotation of valuable minerals and the reverse flotation of gangue materials. Bauer: “Arkema helps mineral processors achieve higher recovery, better grades, and more sustainable operations by designing customised solutions for ore body characteristics and processing needs.”
Arkema has developed solutions for phosphate beneficiation customers in diverse regions – from the United States to China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, South Africa, Jordan, and Finland. “Each market presents its own challenges, whether related to gangue mineralogy, sizing restrictions, recovery thresholds, or environmental regulations – and Arkema’s ability to adapt its chemistry and approach accordingly is a key differentiator.”
In producing high-purity quartz used in semiconductors and electronics, Arkema says its technologies enable the selective removal of micas, feldspars, and heavy minerals, while maximising quartz recovery. In the beneficiation of lithium-bearing ores like spodumene and lepidolite, Arkema has introduced novel, hazard-free collectors that offer strong low-temperature performance, operational simplicity, and significantly improved Li₂O grade and recovery over traditional reagents.
These advanced solutions have succeeded in North America, Australia, and China, supporting the rapid growth of global battery markets.
In addition to collectors, Arkema says it offers a comprehensive portfolio of mining reagents, including frothers, modifiers, flocculants, and defoamers – all designed for high effectiveness with minimal environmental impact. “Whether optimising a single flotation stage or rethinking an entire flowsheet, Arkema’s technical experts work closely with partners to solve complex mineral processing challenges.”
Bauer concludes: “Through strategic collaboration and customised flotation solutions, Arkema is helping mineral producers worldwide overcome supply constraints and operate more sustainably. Tomorrow’s technologies – and tomorrow’s world – depend on smart, efficient, and responsible mineral extraction.”
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