Production of Antimony Compounds at Nakase Refinery, Nihon Seiko Co., Ltd.

Abstract

Nihon Seiko was established in 1935, and at that time smelting facilities were constructed to refine ores. Sales of antimony trioxide have started since 1948. Due to exhaustion of ore reserves, mining activity was stopped in 1967. However, we continued production with imported antimony concentrates, and in 1996 raw material was changed to ingots from concentrates. Up to now, production of antimony trioxide from ingots is carried out by the continuously improved method.
With increasing demands for antimony trioxide, Nihon Seiko has been developing high quality products to meet our customers’ requirements.
Currently 15 furnaces, which produce antimony trioxide and metal, are in operation. Production volume of antimony trioxide is about 5,000 tons per year with a domestic market share exceeding 70%.