Cryolite

Cryolite (CAS 15096-52-3) is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced sodium aluminum fluoride mineral, also known under the trade names Cryocide, Kryolith, Kriolit, and RTN-C. It carries no assigned E-code and is classified within the salts and minerals category under HS code 2826300000.

In aluminum smelting, cryolite serves as the primary electrolyte solvent in the Hall-Héroult process, dissolving alumina at reduced temperatures to enable efficient electrochemical metal extraction. It is also applied in the pulp and paper industry as an opacifying agent and in textile processing as a weighting and finishing auxiliary, where its fluoride content contributes to fiber treatment chemistry.

Cryolite is sourced in both natural mineral and synthetic amorphous powder grades, with the synthetic form offering greater compositional consistency for industrial formulations. Supply is subject to REACH registration requirements within the EU. Packaging formats vary by supplier and application volume; procurement teams should confirm grade specification and fluoride content prior to ordering.