Mercury (7439-97-6) – find manufacturers and suppliers

Mercury (Hg) is a silvery, shiny heavy metal that is liquid at room temperature, is highly toxic and is strictly regulated worldwide due to its toxicity.

Its physical properties - especially its fluidity at room temperature, its ability to form amalgams and its good electrical conductivity - make it attractive in many technical applications.

Physical properties of mercury:

1. Symbol: Hg (from the Latin hydrargyrum)
2. Atomic number: 80
3. Density: 13.5 g/cm³
4. Melting point: -38.8 °
5. Boiling point: 357 °C
6. Color: Silvery-white
7. Hardness (Mohs): --
8. Malleability: Unique among metals because it is liquid at room temperature.
9. Electrical conductivity: Mercury conducts electricity quite well, although worse than many other metals.
10. Corrosion resistance: Mercury is a relatively corrosion-resistant metal, especially to non-oxidizing acids and alkalis at room temperature.
11. Another important characteristic is its high toxicity - especially in the form of methylmercury, which can accumulate in organisms and has a strong neurotoxic effect.

Extraction of mercury:

Mercury occurs in nature primarily as cinnabar (mercury sulphide, HgS), a red ore. The ore is mined and then roasted.

During roasting, the sulphur is released as SO₂ and the metallic mercury evaporates:
HgS + O₂ → Hg + SO₂.
The mercury vapors are collected and liquefied in condensers.

This used to be a widespread practice, but due to environmental and health hazards, primary mining has been severely restricted or discontinued worldwide. Today, mercury is often recovered from secondary sources - especially when recycling waste such as old lamps, measuring devices or industrial equipment.

Main mercury-producing countries:

Primary mining is now in sharp decline worldwide and has been banned in many countries. Traditionally, important producing countries were:

1. Spain, especially the Almadén region, one of the largest historical mercury mines
2. Italy and
3. Slovenia
4. Mexico
5. China

Today, China is one of the few countries where mercury is still extracted to a significant extent as a by-product, e.g. when mining other ores. Some countries in South America and Central Asia also still mine or export mercury, often from informal sources.

However, a significant proportion of the mercury traded on the global market now comes from recycling and dismantling.

Use of mercury:

The use of mercury is now heavily regulated and restricted worldwide - mainly due to its toxicity and environmental persistence. Nevertheless, there are still legal and illegal uses:

1. Lighting technology:
A small amount of mercury vapor is needed in fluorescent lamps and energy-saving bulbs to produce UV light.

2. Measuring devices:
Formerly widely used in thermometers, barometers and blood pressure gauges. Now banned or severely restricted in many countries.

3. Dentistry:
Amalgam fillings contain mercury alloys. Their use is increasingly restricted or banned, but is still widespread in some regions.

4. Chlor-alkali industry:
Mercury used to be used in electrolytic cells to produce chlorine (mercury cell process). This technology is largely being replaced.

5. Mining:
In parts of Africa, South America and Asia, mercury continues to be used (often illegally) to extract gold. Gold is combined with mercury to form an amalgam, which is then heated so that the mercury evaporates and the gold remains - with significant health and environmental consequences.

6. Electronics and chemistry:
Mercury is used in small amounts in some switches, sensors and catalysts.

Importance of mercury:

Mercury has historically been very important:

• Even in ancient times, cinnabar was used as a color pigment.
• For centuries, mercury has been central to the extraction of gold and silver.

Today, its significance is ambivalent:

• On the one hand, it is still needed, e.g. for certain lighting technologies or chemical processes.
• On the other hand, it is considered a highly dangerous pollutant.
• It can accumulate in food chains, especially as methylmercury in fish and marine mammals. It has a neurotoxic effect, especially on fetuses and small children.

For this reason, there are international agreements such as the Minamata Convention, which aim to reduce the use, trade and emissions of mercury worldwide.

For industry today, mercury is more of a substance that needs to be disposed of or recycled in a controlled and safe manner than a strategic raw material. Nevertheless, recycling is important because it provides a safe way to take mercury out of circulation or reuse it for unavoidable applications without the need for new mining.

Mercury is a fascinating but dangerous element. It has special physical properties and was used intensively for centuries. Today, its use is highly restricted and strictly regulated, recycling and safe disposal are essential to protect the environment and health.

Here you will find the most important aspects to consider when buying mercury.

When purchasing mercury, you should pay attention to legal permissibility, the reliability of the supplier, the required purity, safe packaging and proper storage and use.

• The trade in mercury is strictly regulated in many countries and in some cases severely restricted or prohibited. Before making a purchase, it must be clarified whether the purchase in the desired form and quantity is permitted by law.
• In the EU, for example, the trade in metallic mercury is only permitted in exceptional cases in accordance with the EU Mercury Regulation (EU) 2017/852). The Minamata Convention, which severely restricts the handling of mercury, also applies internationally.
• Only companies with valid authorization, e.g. chemical industry, research or certain craft businesses, may purchase mercury.
• Buyers may have to present an official permit or registration number.
• The use must be for a permissible purpose, e.g. not for private use or illegal gold mining.
• Due to the risks of misuse and environmental damage, mercury may only be purchased from authorized dealers. When purchasing, you should ensure that the supplier:
• Has a valid trading license for hazardous substances,
• Complies with all legal requirements for storage, transportation and export,
• Offers transparency regarding origin and quality,
• Ideally comes from a country where mercury regulation is taken seriously.
• A reputable supplier will provide safety data sheets (SDS), test certificates or proof of origin on request.
• Different quality levels are required depending on the intended use. In research or industry, very high purity may be required, e.g. 99.999 %.
• You should therefore define precisely when purchasing:
• What purity is required?
• Should the mercury be technical, high-purity, ultra-pure or analytically pure?
• Are there any known impurities that need to be excluded, such as other heavy metals or organic residues?
• A trustworthy supplier will provide a quality certificate documenting the chemical analysis of the batch.
• Mercury must be stored and transported in accordance with the dangerous goods regulations, e.g. ADR, IATA.
• When purchasing, you should ensure that:
• The product is delivered in suitable, leak-proof special containers, such as stainless steel, plastic or glass containers with secondary outer packaging,
• All hazard symbols and warnings are correctly affixed,
• Transportation is carried out by an approved dangerous goods carrier,
• Accompanying documents such as safety data sheet, proof of delivery and, if applicable, customs documents are complete.
• Improperly packaged mercury carries high risks - including legal risks.
• Even if the purchase is permitted, the buyer is still responsible for ensuring that the substance is used safely and for its intended purpose.
• It is therefore important to clarify this in advance:
• Is the mercury used in a permitted and safe application?
• Are there internal safety standards for storage, handling and emergency measures?
• Are trained specialists available who are authorized to handle mercury?
• It may also be necessary to prove that no transfer to third parties or unauthorized export is taking place.
• Even at the time of purchase, you should consider how mercury that is no longer needed or empty containers can be properly disposed of or recycled later.
• Many professional retailers offer take-back or disposal advice. Alternatively, you can work with a certified mercury recycling company.
• It is important that no disposal takes place via household waste or improper channels - this would be punishable by law and extremely hazardous to the environment.
• The price of mercury depends on various factors: Purity level, origin, regulatory availability and transportation costs. As official trade is restricted, there are only a few legal sources of supply worldwide.
• When purchasing, you should be particularly suspicious of:
• Unusually cheap offers, suppliers without proof of company headquarters, missing safety data or proof of origin.
• Professional purchasing is always based on traceable documentation and legally compliant procedures - not on the cheapest price.

When purchasing mercury, it is not only technical specifications that are important, but above all legal conformity, safety and traceability. Only those who work with approved, experienced dealers, adhere to a clear legal framework and exercise the utmost care during transportation, storage and use can use this dangerous heavy metal safely - and protect the environment and health at the same time.

Mercury can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about suppliers of mercury from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.