Hindustan Zinc has received its first European patent. The patent was developed by ZnTech +, formerly Central Research and Development Laboratory (CRDL), Hindustan Zinc.
“The patent describes the process to treat Antimony-bearing by-product of Zinc-Lead smelters and convert it into a value added product, Potassium Antimony Tartarate (PAT), ” an official statement said.
PAT is consumed by Zinc hydro smelters for purification of Zinc Sulphate solution to produce Zinc metal. The US and Indian patent application on this technology are also under processing, the statement added. The grant of patent provides recognition of the quality of the innovation being carried at HZL.
The patented process has been commercialized and is running successfully at DSC Ancillary setup since 2016, HZL statement further stated. About 75 metric tonne of PAT is produced annually which is consumed internally by HZL hydro smelters.
HZL said its R&D team is continuously working on developing the company’s patent portfolio. In addition, Hindustan Zinc has filed four national and two international patents.