3F Chimica is a specialty additives manufacturer that has been in operation for more than 25 years. Headquartered in Italy, research and innovation of acrylic and acrylamide chemistries are at the forefront of our activities to enhance clients’ products and / or processes.
With back integration into key raw materials and production of monomers, 3F Chimica can provide cost-effective solutions for a variety of different applications.
Polyamines, polydadmacs and coagulants
For the mining industry, 3F Chimica produces a range of additives for process enhancement during extraction, the treatment of wastewater, thickening of sludge and rheology control for tailings management.
Additives manufactured at our plants in Italy and the USA, such as polyacrylamide flocculants, organic coagulants (polyamines and polydadmacs), polyacrylate dispersants, antifoams and defoamers play an integral role in the recovery of valuable natural resources while reducing costs and minimising the impact on the environment.
Polymers for treating extracted sludge
The properties of our products developed specifically for the extraction industry make 3F Chimica one of the world’s leaders in the mining sector. The company has developed special polymers for treating the sludge produced from extraction processes.
3F Chimica products for this sector facilitate rapid dewatering and aggregation of clay colloids and their subsequent dewatering. Our experience in this sector allows customers to avoid constructing evaporation ponds and dykes. Instead, the processing water can be reused and the sludge can be solidified and made ready for transport in just a few hours.
Flocculants and coagulants for extraction
Some of the primary objectives of the mining industry are to increase the efficiency of processes, increase the extraction rate, reduce costs and production times and minimise residues and material loss.
The 3F Chimica products that are most frequently used in this sector are flocculants and coagulants. The utilisation of these products allows customers to decrease costs, enhance performance, work over a wide range of pHs and considerably reduce sludge volume.
3F Chimica has a network of specialists in more than 60 countries to provide technical service to its customers, assisting them in the selection and use of products. In addition, our warehouses and storage facilities are placed in strategic commercial locations to ensure that scheduled deliveries arrive on time.
Sludge treatment in surface and underground mines
3F Chimica coagulants and flocculants are primarily employed for dewatering in both surface and underground mines. They are used in sedimentation and dewatering processes to remove excess water and reduce sludge volume.
Coagulants and flocculants for wastewater treatment
Our coagulants and flocculants are used in filtration, sedimentation and flotation because they speed up the solid-liquid separation process. In addition, fine and ultra-fine particle treatment clarifies and reduces the turbidity of water, permitting it to be reused for extraction processes.
3F Chimica offers a vast range of products in different forms, charges and molecular weights, ensuring excellent results when treating wastewater generated from mineral or metal extraction.
Dust control for coal mining operations
In coal mining operations it is necessary to control and reduce dust emissions. Polyacrylamides in dilute solution help to capture the ultra fine and fine dust particles, which collide and form agglomerates, which settle quickly.
3F Chimica’s polymers are in emulsion and powder form and are effective over an optimum pH range. The rules regarding the use of water and the environmental impact of exploration, extraction and disposal activities for the mining industry are becoming ever stricter. 3F Chimica is ready to face these new challenges by supplying its advanced flocculants.
Flocculants for copper, lead and zinc mining
Copper, lead and zinc are mined underground using large industrial machinery. After the ore is crushed, it is then brought to the surface. A flotation process is necessary to separate the metal from the waste. 3F Chimica’s flocculants allow for an increase in the settling rate of the solids, leaving high quantities of copper, lead and zinc deposits.
In the precious metal industry it may be necessary to treat the crushed ore with pre leach sedimentation in a thickener. The SEDIFLOC range promotes the rapid settlement and good compaction of the solids allowing for a profitable recovery.
3F Chimica also provides chemicals used in processes requiring high temperature and pressure. WB and CW series are anti-scaling and anticorrosion agents, which preserve and clean the facilities, the pipes and the circuit in general.