The Zeolitic Continuum: From Conventional Mineral Resources to Advanced Functional Materials of Bulgarian and Turkish Origin

This review examines the scientific basis and technological development of natural zeolites, focusing particularly on deposits and research from Bulgaria and Turkey. It traces the transformation of zeolites from conventional industrial minerals into advanced, high-performance functional materials. A stepwise methodological framework was employed to conduct a bibliometric assessment of research and review articles published between 2015 and 2025, primarily focusing on contributions from researchers in Bulgaria and Turkey. In parallel, the study evaluates historical industrial data and the foundational literature. Beyond its regional focus, the bibliometric analysis reveals that Turkey ranks among the world’s leading contributors to zeolite research after Iran, China, and Indonesia, while Bulgaria maintains significant presence within the global network of active researchers in the field. The findings suggest that zeolite science in the region is expanding rapidly and dynamically, with current research increasingly focused on modifying, functionalizing, and diversifying zeolitic materials for a wide range of scientific and technological applications, including wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, construction materials production, agriculture, animal husbandry, and healthcare enhancement. The growing demand for effective adsorbents, therapeutic agents, and nutritional supplements, coupled with the critical need to reduce manufacturing costs, serves as a primary driver for accelerated zeolite research.