Zochem to expand zinc oxide production

Dickson, Tennessee – Zinx oxide (ZnO) manufacturer Zochem is expanding production capacity at its Dickson, Tennessee in anticipation of growth in demand.

The company will be installing a new low-carbon, high-output muffle furnace to add 15 kilotonnes per annum of capacity, said a recent statement.

This expansion will help fill the expected increased demand for ZnO in new applications such as battery storage, as well as durable products in the agriculture, automotive, and speciality chemical sectors.

The newly designed furnace will focus on sustainability, and will aim to maximise the use of recyclable materials while creating a smaller carbon footprint.

The furnace, Zochem said, will use modern conductive refractory and low NOx natural gas burners to create a uniform temperature profile over a large molten metal bath.

This approach will allow the company to maximise the furnace’s output-based metric (mt ZnO/tCO2e).

Zochem expects to have the new furnace online in the second quarter of 2023.