aluminium sulphate rock, Nairobi Industrial Area

Aluminium sulphate, also known as alum, is a chemical compound made up of aluminium, sulphur and oxygen. It has the chemical formula Al2(SO4)3 and is commonly used in water treatment plants as a coagulant to remove impurities such as suspended particles, organic matter, and bacteria from water.

Alum is a white crystalline substance that dissolves in water to form a colourless solution. It has a variety of other applications, including in the manufacturing of paper, textiles, and in various industrial processes. In addition, alum has medicinal uses as an astringent and as a component of antiperspirants.