This section provides an overview for ruthenium as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 ruthenium manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked ruthenium companies as of November, 2024: 1.Lenntech, 2.Reade Advanced Materials, 3.Cyanagen.
Table of Contents
Ruthenium is a silvery-white, hard but brittle solid that easily transforms into powder. This element belongs to the platinum group, with the symbol Ru, atomic number 44, atomic weight 101.07, and CAS number 7440-18-8. Discovered by the German chemist Osan in 1828 from deposits in the Urals of Russia, its first pure isolation was achieved by the Russian chemist Krauss in 1844. Ruthenium naturally occurs in the earth's crust alongside other platinum metals like iridium.
Ruthenium's applications are diverse, spanning various fields:
Alloyed with platinum, palladium, titanium, and molybdenum, ruthenium enhances resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and wear. Ruthenium-palladium alloys find use in jewelry, ornaments, and dentistry, while ruthenium-platinum alloys serve in electrical contacts and decorations.
The beta-decay isotope Ru-106 is utilized in radiotherapy for ocular tumors, especially malignant melanoma of the uvea. Ruthenium complexes are being explored for their potential anti-cancer properties, offering greater hydrolysis resistance and expected tumor selectivity compared to platinum complexes.
Ruthenium compounds are valuable as catalysts in various chemical reactions. Homogeneous catalyst applications include olefin metathesis, catalyzed by ruthenium trichloride and Grubbs catalysts, and enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones. Heterogeneous catalyst uses involve Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Additional uses of ruthenium include cathodic protection of structures and as components of composite metal oxide anodes in chlorine production from salt water via electrolysis.
With a melting point of 2,450°C and a boiling point of 3,700°C, Ruthenium is a solid at room temperature, featuring a density of 12.43 g/cm3. It shows remarkable chemical stability, being insoluble in acids, including aqua regia, and only soluble in molten alkalis, forming ruthenates (RuO42-). Ruthenium significantly enhances hardness and strength when alloyed in small quantities with platinum, palladium, or titanium.
Ruthenium is obtained commercially as a by-product from nickel, copper, and platinum ore processing. During the electrolytic refining of copper and nickel, it precipitates as anodic mud along with other precious metals, from which ruthenium can be extracted. It is also sourced from spent nuclear fuel as a fission or neutron absorption product.
Ruthenium can be oxidized to ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) and further to ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4), a potent oxidant, using sodium meta-periodate. Ruthenium tetroxide serves mainly as an intermediate in ruthenium purification from ores and radioactive waste.
Ruthenium is not regulated under any safety laws.
Recommended precautions for handling and storage include sealing the container tightly, storing it in a dry, cool, and dark place, using it in well-ventilated areas or outdoors, avoiding contact with strong oxidizers, and wearing protective gear. After handling, thorough hand washing is advised, along with immediate rinsing of skin or eyes upon contact.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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READE was originally established in Wolverhampton, England in 1773 as a pharmaceutical chemical and varnish manufacturer. Today READE is based in Riverside, Rhode Island in the United States and is an ISO 9001-certified distributor of specialty chemical solids. READE Advanced Materials offers a selection of hundreds of materials and compounds ranging from alloys in various forms to oxides, sulfides, individual elements, and specialty compounds. READE offers global sourcing, custom toll chemical processing, and custom toll packaging from metallurgical grade to pharmaceutical and food grade.
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. was established in 1952 and is a manufacturer of battery materials based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company produces various products related to the battery materials in a complete in-house system, such as mineral ore, low-grade nickel oxide ore, nickel sulfate, and cathode material. The company divide different products into three business divisions, which are Mineral Resources, Smelting and Refining, and Materials business. The minerals that are being the main commodities of the company are mainly copper, nickel, cobalt, gold, and silver.
TCI America (TCI) was founded in 1946 and is a worldwide manufacturer of specialty organic chemicals. The company produces organic laboratory chemicals as well as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional materials. TCI’s product segments include Chemistry, Life Science, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, and Custom & Bulk. For materials science, the company manufactures battery materials, nanocarbon materials, and magnetic materials. For life sciences, the company produces antibodies, reagents, and chemicals for cancer research. The company produces HLC, NMR, various chemicals, and resins and media for analytical chemistry.
Cyanagen or Cyanagen SRL, founded in 2003 and located in Bologna, Italy, is a manufacturer of DNA/RNA extraction kits. The company specialises in designing, and developing DNA/RNA extraction kits, fluorescent antibodies, and chemiluminescent substrates. These are used for blotting, blasters, biotin labelling and biomolecular bonding. The ISO9001:2015 and ISO13485:2016 company’s products are used in the research and development of life species, In Vitro Diagnostics, analytical validation processes and developing molecular diagnostics and biological assays.
Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions, established in 1993, is a design and manfacturing company of water treatment solutions serving numerous industries based in the Netherlands. The company has been delivering sustainable solutions for several applications and processes of water treatment, wastewater reuse and membrane separation. They specialized in providing turnkey and customized water purification and membrane separation systems for different industries and applications. With wide range of technologies and extended know-how in all water-related sectors, they provide cost-efficient solutions meeting customers water quality requirements.
Nornickel is a mining and smelting company that produces metals essential for the development of a low-carbon economy and green transport. It is headquartered in Moscow, Russia and has been in operation since 1935. The company is the world's largest producer of refined nickel and palladium, and a major producer of copper, platinum, and cobalt. Nornickel also produces multiple other metals and minerals, including rhodium, silver, gold, and iridium. The company's products are used in many industries, including automotive, electronics, and chemical.
HAZMAT Resource, Inc., located in Irvine, California, USA, is a distributor of hazardous materials response equipment and materials. They specialize in personal protective equipment (PPE), testing devices, and technical reference materials for hazardous materials (hazmat) response. Their product range includes PPE such as suits, gloves, boots, and respirators to safeguard hazmat responders from dangerous substances. They offer various testing devices like meters, detectors, and kits for precise identification and measurement of hazardous materials. Additionally, the company provides technical reference materials like books, manuals, and software, equipping responders with essential knowledge on hazardous material properties and safe handling procedures.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Lenntech |
34.2%
|
2 | Reade Advanced Materials |
19.2%
|
3 | Cyanagen |
11.0%
|
4 | Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. |
9.6%
|
5 | Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. |
9.6%
|
6 | Norilsk Nickel |
8.2%
|
7 | HAZMAT Resource, Inc. |
8.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the ruthenium page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Japan | 2 | 40.0% |
United States of America | 1 | 20.0% |
Italy | 1 | 20.0% |
Netherlands | 1 | 20.0% |