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Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral group consisting of over 50 different minerals. Made of a special crystalline structure that is porous but remains rigid in the presence of water, zeolites can be adapted for a variety of uses. Zeolites are widely used as ion-exchange beds in domestic and commercial water purification, softening, and other applications. Synthetic zeolites are widely used as catalysts in the petrochemical industry, for instance in fluid catalytic cracking and hydro-cracking. The largest single use for zeolite is the global laundry detergent market.