Antimony has consistently ranked
high in European and US risk lists –
in terms of the element being
critical to maintaining current
economies and lifestyles.
– European Commission (Critical
Raw Materials List)
Appearance:
Silvery-white
with a high
metallic luste
Source:
Naturally
occurs in
earth’s crust
Hardness Scale:
3.0 (Mohs 1.0 – 10.0)
Status:
Critical &
Strategic
Melting point:
630 °C
Phase:
Solid
Due to its unique properties, Antimony is used in a broad range
of products in multiple industries.
Batteries &
Alternative/Green
Energy Storage
Semi-conductor
alloys
Glass/Optics
clarification
Pigmentation
for paints/dyes
Pharmacology/
Medical additive
Plastic catalyst &
heat stabilizer
Flame Retardant
Anti-friction
alloys
Strength &
Anti-corrosion alloys
FLAME
RETARDANTS
PLASTICS
Antimony is playing a vital role in the
world’s shift to greener energy
production and storage.
Sustainablility
Green Energy
Production
Low Carbon
Future
Batteries used to
store power from
renewable and
alternative energy
sources.
SOHAR
SPMPOMAN
WWW.SPMP.CO.OM
WHAT IS ANTIMONY?
WHAT IS IT
USED FOR?
PRIMARY USES
UNLOCKING A
GREENER FUTURE
FLAME
RETARDANT
METAL
ALLOYS
Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb and
atomic number 51. A lustrous gray metalloid, it is found
mainly in nature as the sulfide mineral stibnite.
ATTRIBUTES
Historically, throughout the Middle East, the
powder derived from crushed antimony and
other ingredients – known as Kohl – was
applied as an eye and facial cosmetic.
Antimony is often used to provide the
“glitter” effect in firework displays.
Up to the 1970s, antimony compounds were
used as a metallic cleanse to treat various
parasitic infections.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Mass storage power,
generated via renewable
alternative/new energy
sources.
Plastics
Textiles
Modern high energy
density batteries, as
alternatives to
lithium-ion batteries.
Flame retardant paints
Rubber
Foams etc.
As an anti-friction additive for
alloys used in machine
bearings (babbits). including
wind and hydro turbines in
the sustainable energy sector.
To add advantageous properties to
rolled/extruded lead products used in
construction; as well as copper alloys,
magnetic steels, fusible alloys, type
metals etc.
Alloyed with lead-acid
battery grids for
improved castability,
corrosion resistance
and strength.
Increased battery
lifespans.
Increased
electrochemical
stability of lead.
Manufacture of ammunition for
national security/military
applications, and the small
arms/sporting ammunition
sector.
To add corrosion
resistance properties to
alloys, for use in multiple
industries.
As an intermetallic compound
to optimize semi-conductor
technology.
ANTIMONY IS COMMONLY USED IN A RANGE OF METAL
ALLOYS TO ENHANCE THEIR INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES:
SCREENS
ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS ARE ADDED TO GLASS TO ACT
AS A DECOLORIZING/FINING AGENT – TO ENSURE
OPTIMAL GLASS CLARITY FOR PRODUCTS LIKE
SMART DEVICES TOUCH SCREENS AND BINOCULARS.
ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS ARE USED AS PAINT PIGMENTS, AND
TO AID IN BINDING DYES TO FABRICS. THEY ARE ALSO
UTILIZED IN PORCELAIN ENAMELS, MAINLY AS OPACIFIERS.
ANTIMONY IS USED EXTENSIVELY AS A PRIMARY
OR SECONDARY (SYNERGIST) FLAME RETARDANT IN:
A VITAL COMPONENT IN BATTERIES USED FOR:
PLASTICS
A heat stabilizer in PVC.
Antimony is used in
plastics manufacturing
as a catalyst to produce
PET polymers
Antimony prevents
polymers from
degrading when
subjected to high
temperature
conditions or UV light.
PIGMENTATION
OTHER
NON-METALLURGICAL
APPLICATIONS
Infrared-reflecting
camouflage paints
Matchboxes
Antimony-based drugs are
used in specialized
procedures in medicine, as
well as in the veterinary
industry.
Pesticides
ANTIMONY IN OMAN
SPMP (Strategic & Precious Metals
Processing), located in Sohar, Sultanate of
Oman, developed the concept of a modern
Antimony roasting plant in 2012.
The SPMP Smelter converts primary
sulphide concentrates, produced in mines
from almost every region around the world,
into finished Antimony, a strategic minor
metal.
SPMP’s Mission is to positively advance and
impact the global Antimony industry, to
provide diversity of choice, and to operate
according to the highest safety and
environmental standards from sourcing to
disposal.
SPMP is fully compliant with global
environmental regulations, as well as local
Environment Authority regulations.
Today, SPMP continues to deploy
game-changing innovation and technology
to provide clean-source Antimony to the
global market.
Locally (as well as for the western world),
SPMP develops the first minor metal
primary smelter in nearly 40 years.
PRODUCT APPLICATIONS %
1%
49% 35% 7%
BATTERIES
OTHER
ROSKILL REPORT 2018
CERAMICS
NON-METALLURGICAL
APPLICATIONS
GLASS
1% 1%
6%
