Ever since matches were invented nearly two centuries ago by English chemist John Walker, they have been a basic tool of development. Today, however, they are in danger of disappearing, victims of technology. 

Over the past 30 years, the matchstick industry has waged a losing battle against lighters, as manufacturing them has ceased to be a profitable business. In the United States and Europe, this industry has shrunk to the point that there are now only four factories in both regions. It is perhaps the poorer nations with high rural populations that keep these factories afloat. 

 In Mexico, the situation of the match industry is not so different, it is estimated that its annual consumption amounts to approximately 350 million boxes of matches, 50% of the market is controlled by a single brand. The rest is distributed among other Mexican brands such as La Perla with a 30% share. Likewise, import brands, such as the Chilean Monarca and Guadalupanos. 

One of the strategies that the matchmakers follow to preserve their market share and reposition the matches is to turn them into collectible products or as advertising media. 

 Preparing the mixture for the ringleader is still a recipe that includes silica, kaolin, diatomite and zinc oxide, we invite you to learn about the different qualities of zinc oxide that we handle for the manufacture of your matches.