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KATALYST LIGHT®

Advanced catalytic filtration media for iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide reduction

Advanced Filtration Media

Catalytic filtration that transforms difficult water

KATALYST LIGHT® is an advanced, lightweight catalytic filtration medium developed and manufactured in Germany for the reduction of iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, turbidity and suspended solids.

Engineered with a high-content gamma manganese dioxide coating on ZEOSORB®, KATALYST LIGHT® combines catalytic oxidation, co-precipitation, sorption and fine mechanical filtration within one durable granular medium. Its rough, highly porous surface provides extensive contact between the water and active MnO₂ coating. This supports contaminant oxidation and retention while filtering particles down to approximately 3 microns under suitably designed operating conditions. KATALYST LIGHT® can be used in residential, commercial, industrial and municipal systems. Depending on the water chemistry and treatment objectives, it can also support the reduction of arsenic, zinc, copper, lead, radium, uranium and other heavy metals or radionuclides through iron-assisted co-precipitation[cite: 3].

One media / Multiple treatment mechanisms[cite: 3]

KATALYST LIGHT Introduction

One catalytic media.
Unlimited treatment possibilities[cite: 3].

KATALYST LIGHT® can be integrated into automatic or manually backwashed pressure filters and gravity filtration systems. Final system design must consider contaminant concentration, pH, oxidation-reduction potential, temperature, service flow and available backwash flow[cite: 3].

Iron, Manganese and H₂S Reduction

Catalytic treatment of groundwater containing dissolved iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide[cite: 3].

Municipal and Drinking-Water Filtration

Fine filtration and contaminant reduction for municipal and community water systems[cite: 3].

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Reduction of suspended solids, turbidity and selected metals in industrial process water[cite: 3].

Reverse Osmosis Pretreatment

Helps reduce iron, manganese, turbidity and SDI before membrane treatment[cite: 3].

Arsenic and Heavy-Metal Reduction

Supports iron-assisted co-precipitation and filtration of arsenic and selected heavy metals[cite: 3].

Radionuclide-Contaminated Water

Treatment support for radium, uranium and selected radionuclides under suitable water conditions[cite: 3].

Four treatment mechanisms engineered into one media[cite: 3]

CO

Catalytic oxidation

The gamma MnO₂ coating provides an active catalytic surface for the oxidation of dissolved iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide[cite: 3]. When the raw water has insufficient oxidation-reduction potential, a compatible oxidant may be required[cite: 3].

MF

Fine mechanical filtration

The uniform granular structure captures suspended solids, sediment and turbidity[cite: 3]. Under appropriately designed conditions, the media provides filtration down to approximately 3 microns[cite: 3].

CP

Co-precipitation and sorption

Oxidized iron and manganese form particles that can capture or co-precipitate arsenic, radionuclides and selected heavy metals before being retained inside the media bed[cite: 3].

HF

High-surface-area hydraulic filtration

The rough, porous surface supports extensive water-to-media contact while the comparatively low bulk density helps reduce backwash-water demand compared with heavier catalytic media[cite: 3].

Science and technology behind KATALYST LIGHT®[cite: 3]

KATALYST LIGHT® is composed primarily of ZEOSORB® coated with high-content gamma manganese dioxide[cite: 3]. Its performance is based on catalytic oxidation, contaminant precipitation, surface sorption and fine filtration[cite: 3].

  • High Gamma MnO₂ Content – The media contains approximately 10% gamma manganese dioxide, creating an active surface for catalytic oxidation and contaminant precipitation[cite: 3].
  • ZEOSORB® Base Material – The lightweight, porous base provides a large filtration surface, high physical stability and a lower bulk density than many traditional manganese-based media[cite: 3].
  • Three-Stage Treatment Mechanism – Dissolved contaminants are oxidized, transformed into insoluble particles and subsequently retained within the filter bed[cite: 3].
  • High-Resolution Filtration – Uniform 0.6–1.4 mm granules support filtration down to approximately 3 microns when operated at the correct service velocity[cite: 3].
KATALYST LIGHT Science and Technology

Explore the KATALYST LIGHT®
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KATALYST LIGHT Advanced Filtration Media
November 2025

KATALYST LIGHT® Advanced Filtration Media

Product overview covering filtration, contaminant reduction and primary performance benefits[cite: 3].

Iron and Manganese Treatment
November 2025

Iron and Manganese Treatment

Discover the catalytic oxidation and filtration mechanism for dissolved metals[cite: 3].

Hydrogen Sulfide Reduction
November 2025

Hydrogen Sulfide Reduction

Understand how KATALYST LIGHT® helps address H₂S and associated odor[cite: 3].

Arsenic Co-Precipitation
November 2025

Arsenic Co-Precipitation

A visual explanation of iron-assisted arsenic capture and filtration[cite: 3].

System Design and Backwashing
November 2025

System Design and Backwashing

Recommended media depth, freeboard, service flow and backwash requirements[cite: 3].

Catalytic Filtration Science
November 2025

Catalytic Filtration Science

Explore MnO₂ coating, ZEOSORB® structure and the three-stage treatment mechanism[cite: 3].

Frequently
Asked Questions

Find answers about KATALYST LIGHT® performance, applications, oxidation requirements, system design and maintenance[cite: 3].

Contact Support
Are KATALYST LIGHT® and KATALOX LIGHT® different products?
No[cite: 3]. The official brochure states that they are two trade names for the same filtration product[cite: 3]. KATALYST LIGHT® is the current name, while KATALOX LIGHT® is the former name[cite: 3].
What is KATALYST LIGHT® made from?
It consists primarily of a ZEOSORB® base coated with approximately 10% gamma manganese dioxide[cite: 3]. Hydrated lime is used as a binding material[cite: 3].
Which contaminants can KATALYST LIGHT® reduce?
It is primarily designed for iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, turbidity, sediment and suspended solids[cite: 3]. Under suitable conditions, it can also support the reduction of arsenic, radium, uranium and selected heavy metals[cite: 3].
How does KATALYST LIGHT® remove iron and manganese?
Its MnO₂ surface catalyzes the oxidation of dissolved iron and manganese into insoluble particles[cite: 3]. These particles are then captured within the granular filter bed and discharged during backwashing[cite: 3].
Can it reduce hydrogen sulfide and rotten-egg odor?
Yes[cite: 3]. KATALYST LIGHT® catalytically oxidizes hydrogen sulfide so the resulting particles can be filtered[cite: 3]. Additional oxidation may be required at higher concentrations or low ORP[cite: 3].
Are treatment chemicals always required?
No[cite: 3]. Mandatory chemical dosing is not required when the raw water already has suitable pH and oxidation-reduction potential[cite: 3]. An oxidant may be necessary when natural oxidation conditions are insufficient[cite: 3].
Can KATALYST LIGHT® reduce arsenic?
Yes, through iron-assisted co-precipitation[cite: 3]. Sufficient iron must be present or dosed[cite: 3]. The current webpage recommends an approximate Fe:As ratio of at least 20:1[cite: 3].
What pH is required?
The published operating range is pH 5.8–10.5[cite: 3]. Approximately pH 7.5 is recommended for iron treatment and pH 8.5 for effective manganese treatment[cite: 3].
How fine can KATALYST LIGHT® filter?
Under properly designed hydraulic conditions, the media is published as filtering particles down to approximately 3 microns[cite: 3].
How often should the system be backwashed?
Backwash frequency depends on contaminant loading, turbidity, differential pressure and water consumption[cite: 3]. A typical backwash lasts 10–15 minutes, followed by a 2–3 minute rinse[cite: 3].
What is the expected media life?
The published expected service life is approximately 7–10 years[cite: 3]. Actual life depends on water chemistry, contaminant loading, oxidation conditions, backwashing and system maintenance[cite: 3].
Does KATALYST LIGHT® disinfect water?
No[cite: 3]. The brochure specifically states that the media does not eliminate bacteria[cite: 3]. Microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water requires a properly designed disinfection stage[cite: 3].
System Sizing Tool

Calculate Your KATALYST LIGHT® System

Determine the required media volume based on your target service flow rate (gpm or m³/h).

Sizing Recommendation

Get the right filtration solution

It all starts with your water analysis[cite: 3].

Send us your iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, arsenic, pH, ORP, turbidity and flow-rate data. Our water-treatment specialists will help determine the appropriate media volume, vessel size, service flow and backwash requirements[cite: 3].

Setting New Benchmarks in Catalytic Water Filtration

Water treatment facility overview