Selenium

Selenium (CAS 7782-49-2), commonly abbreviated as Se, is a trace element sourced and traded in elemental form across industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical supply chains. It functions as a critical micronutrient supplement and a semiconductor material. Depending on the target application, it also serves as a metallurgical additive. In electronics manufacturing, Se is used in the production of photovoltaic cells, rectifiers, and photocopier drums, where its photoconductive properties determine performance.

Animal feed and fertilizer producers incorporate it as a micronutrient additive to correct selenium deficiency in livestock and selenium-depleted soils. This ensures proper health and growth across various agricultural sectors and livestock management programs. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulators use elemental selenium as a precursor in the synthesis of selenium-based active ingredients and dietary supplement compounds. These applications require high levels of precision and strict adherence to chemical purity.

In metallurgy, it is added to copper and steel alloys to improve machinability and is used in glass manufacturing to neutralize iron-induced discoloration. This versatility makes it a staple in heavy industrial manufacturing and glass production. Selenium is available commercially as powder, pellets, granules, and shot, with powder being the most common form for chemical processing applications. These various physical forms allow for flexible integration into different manufacturing workflows.

Recognized grades include technical grade and high-purity grades (99.5%–99.999%) suited to electronics and pharmaceutical precursor use. Feed-grade and fertilizer-grade specifications are also available to meet specific agricultural compliance requirements.