Let’s be real. If you are in the feed game, you know that getting the trace mineral mix right is a big deal. And zinc? Zinc is everywhere. It is involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the animal body, from immune support to bone growth and even reproduction. But here is the catch: not all zinc is created equal.
We often have customers asking us: “I already use Zinc Sulfate. Why should I switch to TBZC?” Fair question. So let us break it down. No academic jargon, just what actually matters to your animals — and your bottom line.
What Are We Even Comparing?
Let us start with the basics.
Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO₄) is the old-school option. It has been around forever. It is water-soluble, widely available, and does the job. You will find it in pretty much every standard mineral premix out there. Think of it as the workhorse of the feed industry — reliable, but not exactly optimized.
TBZC (Tetrabasic Zinc Chloride) , on the other hand, is the newer kid on the block. It is a zinc hydroxychloride, which basically means it is a more stable, slow-release form of zinc. It does not dissolve in water the way Zinc Sulfate does, and that is actually a good thing when it comes to feeding animals (Source: Animal Feed Science and Technology).
Our company produces both. So we are not here to trash one and hype the other. But if you are feeding livestock, especially piglets or poultry, you need to know the trade-offs.
Stability: The Make-or-Break Factor
Here is where things get interesting.
Zinc Sulfate is highly soluble. In a premix or in the stomach, it breaks down very quickly. That sounds good — and for some applications, it is. But in the world of feed, fast dissolution is not always your friend. Why? Because zinc can interact with other minerals (like copper and iron) and dietary components like phytates, which can block absorption.
TBZC is designed differently. It is insoluble in water and chemically less active than Zinc Sulfate(Source: Animal Feed Science and Technology). That means it can pass through the feed mixing and pelleting process without degrading or reacting with other ingredients. Once it hits the animal‘s digestive tract, it releases zinc in a more controlled manner. Slow and steady. No sudden spikes. No wasteful reactions.
For feed manufacturers running high-temperature processing (think pelleting or extruding), TBZC is a no-brainer for stability.
Bioavailability: Does the Animal Actually Use It?
This is the million-dollar question.
Older studies used to say that inorganic zinc sources like Zinc Sulfate have decent bioavailability. And technically, they do. But more recent research suggests that the story is more complicated.
A study from 2017 comparing tribasic zinc sulfate (another name for TBZC) with regular Zinc Sulfate in young pigs showed something interesting: pigs fed TBZC had higher serum zinc levels and lower zinc excretion in their feces. The researchers also found that TBZC upregulated zinc transporter genes in the gut (ZIP4, if you want to get technical), meaning the animals’ intestines became more efficient at pulling zinc into the body.
What does that mean in plain English? Less zinc going in the front door. More zinc actually getting used. And less zinc coming out the back end to pollute the environment.
Another study found that the relative zinc bioavailability in TBZC is one to two times higher than feed-grade zinc oxide — which is chemically similar to Zinc Sulfate in terms of being an inorganic, highly soluble source.
So yes. TBZC wins on bioavailability. No contest.
Environmental Impact: The Elephant in the Room
Nobody talks about this enough, but it matters. High levels of zinc excretion from livestock operations can build up in soil and water. And regulators are starting to pay attention.
With Zinc Sulfate, because it breaks down so fast, a lot of the zinc you add ends up right back out in the manure. Studies show that pigs fed TBZC had significantly lower zinc content in their feces compared to those fed Zinc Sulfate (Source: Anim Sci J. 2017 Oct ).
That means less environmental burden. And with more countries tightening regulations on heavy metals in manure, this is not just a “nice to have” anymore. It is becoming a compliance issue.
Diarrhea Control and Gut Health
This is where TBZC really shines — especially in piglets.
We all know that weaning is stressful. Piglets often get diarrhea. Traditionally, producers would slam them with high doses of zinc oxide (2,000–3,000 ppm) to control it. But that is a pharmacological dose, and it comes with big environmental and regulatory problems.
TBZC has been shown to be a legitimate alternative.
A 2025 study published in Animals found that replacing 1,500 mg/kg of zinc oxide with just 680 mg/kg of TBZC improved growth performance and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets. The TBZC group also had better gut microbiota composition — more beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, fewer harmful Streptococcus.
The same study found that TBZC actually increased average daily feed intake in the first two weeks and boosted weight gain later in the trial.
So not only does TBZC control diarrhea at lower doses, it also helps animals grow better. That is a double win.
Which One Should You Use?
Look, both products have their place. But here is how we see it at Sustar:
Stick with Zinc Sulfate if: You are working with a simple, non-processed mash feed; cost is your absolute only consideration; and you are not worried about environmental regulations or mineral interactions.
Switch to TBZC if: You run high-temperature processing (pelleting, extruding); you care about feed efficiency and want more zinc absorbed per gram added; you need to reduce mineral excretion for environmental compliance; or you are raising piglets or poultry and want better gut health without blasting high doses.
Looking for a high-stability TBZC supplier?
SUSTAR provides alpha-crystal TBCC with:
✓ 58% Zn
✓ Low dioxin content
✓ FAMI-QS certified
✓ Global export support
Request a sample today.
We have been in this industry for over 35 years. We manufacture both types of products. And we tell every customer the same thing: the right choice depends on your specific setup. But if you are still using Zinc Sulfate in 2025 without even testing TBZC, you are probably leaving performance — and profit — on the table.
Want to run a trial? Get in touch. Our technical team can help you formulate the switch and show you the numbers.
At SUSTAR, we manufacture both inorganic and organic trace mineral additives, including TBZC, TBCC, L-Selenomethionine, and various metal sulfates. Our five Chinese production facilities are FAMI-QS, ISO, and GMP certified, supplying partners like CP, Cargill, DSM, and Nutreco with over 200,000 tons of annual capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TBZC better than Zinc Sulfate?
For most modern livestock operations, TBZC offers better feed stability, higher bioavailability, and improved mineral efficiency. However, Zinc Sulfate remains a cost-effective solution for standard applications.
Why is TBZC more expensive?
TBZC requires a more sophisticated manufacturing process and offers enhanced nutritional performance, which contributes to its higher price.
Can TBZC replace Zinc Sulfate completely?
Yes. Many feed manufacturers have successfully replaced Zinc Sulfate with TBZC in poultry, swine, ruminant, and aquaculture diets.
Does TBZC improve animal performance?
Research and field experience suggest that TBZC can support improved feed efficiency, mineral retention, immune function, and overall productivity.
Is TBZC environmentally friendly?
Because animals may utilize zinc more efficiently from TBZC, zinc excretion can be reduced, supporting more sustainable livestock production.
References
1. Zhang, Bingkun and Yuming Guo. “Beneficial effects of tetrabasic zinc chloride for weanling piglets and the bioavailability of zinc in tetrabasic form relative to ZnO.” Animal Feed Science and Technology 135 (2007): 75-85.
2. Deng B, Zhou X, Wu J, Long C, Yao Y, Peng H, Wan D, Wu X. Effects of dietary supplementation with tribasic zinc sulfate or zinc sulfate on growth performance, zinc content and expression of zinc transporters in young pigs. Anim Sci J. 2017 Oct;88(10):1556-1560. doi: 10.1111/asj.12788. Epub 2017 Apr 12. PMID: 28402050.
3. Peng S, Fang J, Zhang N, Chen Y, Ma Y, Wang C. Effects of Tetrabasic Zinc Chloride as Alternative to High Doses of Zinc Oxide on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology, Immune Function, and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets. Animals (Basel). 2025 Oct 23;15(21):3071. doi: 10.3390/ani15213071. PMID: 41227403; PMCID: PMC12608981.
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Post time: Jun-08-2026
