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Our History

Zeochem, a manufacturer of high-quality molecular sieves, chromatography gels and deuterated compounds, was established more than 200 years ago. With manufacturing facilities in Rüti, Switzerland; Louisville, Ky., USA; Donghai, China; and Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina, we offer customers a wide range of high-performance products and provide coordinated global support.

At Zeochem, we believe our tradition obliges us to maintain the standards set by the Schnorf brothers and to keep growing the company to ensure the future for our customers, our employees and our founders … the Schnorf family.

1818
The Schnorf brothers set up a chemicals factory in Uetikon on Lake Zurich and begin to produce sulfuric acid, iron and copper sulfates. The factory is steadily enlarged over the subsequent decades by reclaiming land from the lake, and the company expands into soda and fertilizer production.
1818
1881
The Schnorf family diversifies, acquiring the Perlen paper factory (founded in 1872) as a related field within the chemical-technical process industry
1881
1899
The company “Gebrüder Schnorf” is converted into a joint stock company. By the turn of the century, the chemicals factory is the biggest in Switzerland with a workforce of some 200 personnel. The company has a 50% share of the Swiss sulfuric acid market and a 25% share of its fertilizer market. It is also the only supplier of salt, saltpeter and mixed acids.
1899
1939
New manufacturing unit for silica gels.
1939
1971
The CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG located in Lucerne is formed.
1971
1973
Manufacturing unit for molecular sieves is added.
1973
1979
Zeochem is founded as a joint venture between Chemische Fabrik Uetikon AG and United Catalysts, a subsidiary of Süd-Chemie, in Louisville, Ky., USA, with a new manufacturing unit for zeolites.
1979
1993
ISO 9001 certificate is awarded.
1993
1997
CU Chemie Uetikon AG buys out Sud Chemie’s shares in United Catalysts and founds Zeochem LLC in Louisville Ky., USA.
1997
2002
CU Chemie Uetikon AG spins off the zeolite and silica gel businesses into a new entity, Zeochem AG.
2002
2015
The CPH Group acquires one of China’s leading manufacturers of molecular sieves, Jiangsu ALSIO Technology of the Jiangsu Feixiang Group.
2015
2017
Zeochem acquires Armar, manufacturer and distributor of deuterated solvents.
2017
2017
New production facility opens in Bosnia and Herzegovina to produce molecular sieves, chromatography gels and specialty zeolites.
2017
2018
Zeochem moves to its new global headquarters in Rüti near Zurich in Switzerland. The central functions for the production of deuterated solvents are also located on the premises.
2018

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Investing in personal and professional development is one way our management team is committed to the success of Zeochem’s most valuable asset – its employees!

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