Zeolites are naturally occurring or synthetic minerals that have a porous and crystalline structure. They are often used as industrial catalysts and adsorbents due to their unique properties, which include high surface area, uniform pore size, and ion-exchange capabilities.

In the manufacturing industry, zeolites are commonly used as molecular sieves to separate molecules based on their sizes. Zeolites can selectively adsorb small molecules while excluding larger ones, making them useful in various separation processes such as gas drying, gas purification, and liquid separation.

Zeolites are also used in the petrochemical industry to catalyze various chemical reactions, such as cracking of hydrocarbons and isomerization of alkanes. They are used in laundry detergents as water-softening agents, in the production of specialty chemicals, and as catalysts in a variety of other chemical reactions.

In addition to their industrial applications, zeolites are also used in medicine to catalyze biochemical reactions and as a drug delivery system to target specific cells or tissues in the body.

Overall, zeolites play a significant role in various industries and have become an essential component in the manufacturing processes of many products.