What is clinoptilolite?
Zeolites are a family of aluminosilicate minerals whose silicon, aluminium and oxygen atoms form a three-dimensional framework of regular channels and cages. Exchangeable cations (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and water molecules sit inside these channels. Clinoptilolite is the natural zeolite most often mined and used commercially.
Unlike layered clays such as montmorillonite, the framework of clinoptilolite is rigid: it does not swell in water and its pore size is fixed. This gives it a strong selectivity for certain cations, notably ammonium (NH₄⁺) and potassium, and molecular-sieve behaviour based on molecule size.
Clinoptilolite deposits form when volcanic ash and tuff alter in lake or marine environments. Türkiye has significant natural clinoptilolite deposits, particularly in western Anatolia (for example around Gördes in Manisa and Bigadiç in Balıkesir).
What does it do in animal feed?
Clinoptilolite is valued in feed mainly for its physical and ion-exchange properties rather than as a nutrient source.
- Binder and pellet quality: used as a technological additive that helps bind particles in pelleted feed.
- Anti-caking and flowability: helps keep powdered feeds, mineral mixes and premixes free-flowing.
- Ammonium and moisture adsorption: its affinity for ammonium is why it is also used in litter and manure management in poultry and pig houses.
- Carrier: in some products it serves as a carrier for micro-ingredients.
- Mycotoxin binding: it can bind some aflatoxin, but evidence is less consistent than for high-quality smectite clays, so it is usually considered a supporting component rather than the main aflatoxin binder.
Zeolite or bentonite?
Both are aluminosilicate minerals with cation exchange capacity, but they behave differently. Bentonite (montmorillonite) has expandable layers that can adsorb flat, polar molecules such as aflatoxin B1 between them; clinoptilolite has fixed channels that favour small cations such as ammonium. For aflatoxin binding, smectite-rich bentonite is generally the first choice; clinoptilolite is chosen more for its binding, flow and ammonia-related properties. Some products combine the two.
How is inclusion assessed?
Clinoptilolite is not a nutrient, so there is no requirement for it. Inclusion is decided by its technological purpose (pellet binding, flowability, carrier) and must stay within the conditions set by feed legislation for the authorised product. Because it has high cation exchange capacity, nutritionists also check that it does not disturb the mineral balance of the diet at the chosen level. Local regulations and the product label always prevail.
Quality criteria for feed-grade clinoptilolite
- Clinoptilolite content: the proportion of the target mineral, confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD).
- Absence of fibrous minerals: some zeolite deposits contain fibrous zeolites such as erionite, which are a known health hazard; feed-grade material must be free of them.
- Cation exchange capacity and ammonium exchange capacity: indicators of activity.
- Heavy metals and dioxins: within the undesirable-substance limits of feed legislation.
- Moisture, particle size and dust: important for mixing, flow and safe handling.
- Traceability: a certificate of analysis (CoA) and lot number for every batch.
CTF Premix and zeolite
CTF Premix produces montmorillonite-based toxin binders and feed-grade bentonite at its 10,000 m² facility in Ankara under ISO 9001:2015 and GMP. Requests involving clinoptilolite, for example as a component alongside bentonite, are evaluated by our technical team according to the intended use and target species. Every lot is traceable, and its certificate of analysis can be viewed on the batch verification page.
This page is for general information. Inclusion rates and product choice should be decided with a nutritionist, taking into account the species, the feed formulation and the applicable regulations.