Annual demand for nanostructured Zinc Oxide (ZnO) exceeds 30 million tonnes. Being one of the most extensively used nanostructured compound in cosmetics (whitening cream, UV protection), the cost varies a lot but good quality ZnO (ie, 20-30nm) sells commercially for around U$300 – U$500/kg.
ZnO in Rubber
1.2 million tonnes of regular quality (ie, micron size) ZnO is produced every year; around 650,000 tonnes of which is used in vulcanisation of rubber (predominantly tyres). It is known that if nanostructured ZnO with specific a shape and size is used instead of regular ZnO, the tensile strength of the rubber increases with 450% making it a military or medical grade product. If the properties of the product are meant to remain unchanged, about 400% less of the nanostructured ZnO can be used. The EU has already introduced tough new anti-pollution legislations (ZnO from the deposited rubber on the highways in Europe, when washed out after rains destroys the surrounding vegetation), so tyres with 400% less ZnO would find a strong government support and market with a very high demand.
ZnO in Food Growth
Phosphorus is widely used in fertilisers for food growth and becomes more and more scarce commodity as, once mined out, it can’t be recycled and gets washed out and lost after irrigation in the water streams. The estimate is that in 30-50 years there will be no phosphorus left in the Earth crust. Furthermore, it is known that after a few years of fertilising with phosphorus, plants develop “immunity” against it and to gain good yield results, more and more of this product needs to be used to yield the production. However, a specific bean culture, when sprayed onto the leaves with aqueous solution of nanostructured ZnO, stimulates the roots and they start extracting the residual phosphorus, so there is no need of any further fertilisation.