Boron is a fascinating chemical element with an enormous and varied range of industrial uses. Its name derives from borax (sodium borate), a naturally occurring mineral used for centuries as a washing detergent and still boron’s most well-known compound.
In other forms, boron is used in rocket fuel and colours fireworks green (amorphous boron), and can be made into tough, flame-resistant Pyrex and fibreglass insulation (borosilicate glass).
But in nature, one of boron’s most important roles is as a structural component of plant cell walls. Plants need healthy levels of boron in their mineral mix to grow, pollinate and develop seeds.
Boron compounds are therefore widely used in the agrochemical industry in fertilisers and nutritional additives. At Norkem, this is the market we largely focus on with our boron range. Key products we supply include:
Ulexite is a mineral that contains boron in both soluble (sodium borate) and insoluble (calcium borate) forms. This dual characteristic means ulexite continues to release boron slowly over extended periods of time, which is desirable for low-intensity application of fertilisers.
The manufacturer we source ulexite from has pioneered the process of water binding granular ulexite, avoiding the use of acid additives ensuring the product is classified as organic and enhancing uniformity and hardness. We supply versions containing 10% and a 15% boron, both in a 2-4mm granular form.
DOT is a white, odourless alkaline salt used as an insecticide and fungicide. As well as being a common ingredient in agricultural fertilizers, it is often found in wood preservatives.
Our product contains 21% boron, available in 25kg packs. The powder is highly soluble and therefore a well-suited addition to liquid formulations.
After borax, boric acid is the most well-known and commonly used compound of boron. Its range of uses is huge - as a detergent and antiseptic, as a pharmaceutical, as an ingredient in the manufacture of glass, pottery and enamels, in tanning, dyeing and printing.
We supply boric acid in its anhydrous form as both a granular solid and a powder containing 17% boron. It is available in 25kg, 500kg, 1000kg and 1200kg nett bags.
Aside from these key products, we also offer hydroboracite and colemanite, two more slow-release borate minerals used in fertilisers, and borax in anhydrous, decahydrate and pentahydrate forms. Borax decahydrate is used as an ingredient in hard surface cleaners, polishes, and waxes, while borax pentahydrate can be used as a buffering agent, pH adjuster and emulsifying agent.
If you have any questions about our range of boron products, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced sales team today.