White pigments based on zinc sulfide were first developed and patented in 1850 in France. Although they are still of economic importance, they have continually lost marketvolume since the early 1950s when titanium dioxide was introduced. Only one modern production installation for zinc sulfide pigments still exists in the western hemisphere (Sachtleben Chemie, Germany). All other production plants are located in China.
The zinc-sulfide-containing white pigment with the largest sales volume is litho — pone [1345-05-7], which is produced by coprecipitation and subsequent calcination of a mixture of zinc sulfide [1314-98-3], ZnS, Mr 97.43, and barium sulfate [7727-43-7], BaSO4, Mr 233.40. For standards, see Table 1.1 (Lithopone pigments; “Specification”). Pure zinc sulfide is marketed as Sachtolith.
White zinc sulfide pigments maintain their market position in areas of use where not only their good light scattering ability but also other properties such as low abrasion, low oil number, and low Mohs hardness are required.
They are sometimes produced from many types of industrial effluents. This recycling relieves pressure on the environment, as these materials would otherwise have to be disposed of.
2.2.1