In technical applications zeolites are used as molecular sieves and because of their special structure serve as selective adsorbents for the processing of substance mixtures. Traditionally they are used, for example, to remove polar substances such as water or polarisable substances such as carbon dioxide from gases or liquids and to separate substance mixtures, e.g. the recovery of oxygen or separation of n and iso-paraffins. Due to the high selectivity and tight bonding of the adsorbed molecules within the crystalline structure, purities up to <1 ppm can partly be achieved. In addition to the powder products, which are completely free of binding agents, zeolites are also used as a paste for use in native oils. Geometric shapes such as spheres, rods, or more complex shapes are typically produced by a combination of zeolite powders with special binding agents.

A rather special type is represented by hydrophobic zeolites, which can predominantly adsorb non-polar molecules. Such types can be successfully used for odour removal or for the removal of solvents from exhaust air streams for example. Compared to the traditionally used activated carbons these zeolites are characterised by their ease of regeneration, long service life and also by their chemical inertness and the associated non-flammability.