Chelating resins contains special functional groups that give these resins superior selectivity for specific target ions. This selectivity is beneficial for challenging separations where typical strong acid cation or strong base anion resins are ineffective, mainly where high concentrations of competitive ions are present, or when very low residual leakage is required.

Chelating products work differently from ion exchange resins by forming strong complexes with the target ion and the functional groups on the resin. Depending on the chelating product used, regeneration is possible by disrupting the complex formation or by using a competing ligand that is more favorable than the resin functional group.

Common applications for chelating ion exchange resins include:

Brine decalcification in the chlor-alkali industry
Resin-in-pulp (RIP) for base metal capture (copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc)
Removal of hexavalent chromium from potable water
Removal of boron in semiconductor process water
Recovery of high-value precious metal catalysts
Removal of mercury, regenerable and non-regenerable