Process

To produce zinc oxide, we can use three different processes. Two of them are thermal processes and the third one is a chemical process.

1. One of the thermal processes is called the indirect process, or French process, in which zinc oxide is obtained from zinc metal. This is the method used by A-ESSE in our Carasco plant.
2. The other thermal process is the direct process, or American process, in which residue containing zinc is used. Both processes produce a zinc vapor which is combusted in a controlled atmosphere and transformed into zinc oxide.
3. Zinc oxide is also produced through a chemical wet process through the precipitation of zinc carbonate, basic carbonate, or zinc hydroxide. It is then purified, filtered and dried. Zinc oxide is then obtained by roasting the precipitate.