At the Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, the inorganic chemical technology has been pursued since foundation of the Institute of Chemical Technology (VŠCHT) in Pardubice, which was the predecessor of the present Faculty. From 1950 till 1959, this field was developed at one section of the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry (KOAnCh) led by associate professor Ing. Koutník, CSc. In 1959, an independent department was established (Department of Inroganic Technology, KanT) and associate professor Dr. Ing. Jiří Mýl (until then the head of Department of Physical Chemistry) was appointed its head. The scientific and research orientation of Department was the field of crystallisation of aqueous solutions, chemistry of phosphorus compounds, industrial fertilisers and feed additives; considerable attention was paid to research into production of manganese dioxide in accordance with the needs of the VCHZ Comp. Pardubice. In 1960s, in cooperation with KOAnCh, KAnT participated in development of a new study field, viz. Production of highly pure substances. This orientation of scientific and pedagogical activities of KAnT remained basically unchanged also in 1970s, with attention being paid to actual needs of the country’s chemical industry. The research in the field of crystallisation was oriented to development of liquid crystals for use in temperature indication, and materials for integrated circuits (J. Mýl, S. Pirkl, J. Tuček); besides that a school of inorganic pigments was formed (M. Trojan, Z. Šolc, D. Brandová) whose main orientation is mixed oxide materials for use in ceramics and enamels.

Professor Mýl, being 65 in age in 1977, retired from the post of head of Department, and KAnT was led by Prof. Ing.Dr. Jiří Klikorka, DrSc, who simultaneously was head of KOAnCh, until 1979, whereupon assoc. prof. Ing. Milan Kuchler, CSc was appointed head of KAnT. In 1980s the orientation towards special inorganic pigments (particularly designed for high-temperature applications and protection against corrosion) fully developed; also pursued was the research into industrial fertilisers with controlled release of nutrients and into analytical methods for checking inorganic products (Z. Uhlíř, L. Svoboda). At the same time, a workplace of thermodynamics was initiated: its main focus was on study of processes of precipitation and crystallisation by calorimetric methods (V. Velich, M. Kroupa, G. Franková-Sádovská). Besides that, research activities also concerned the field of utilisation of technological inorganic salts and preparation of highly pure chemicals (O. Söhnel), and the research activities of KAnT were extended by establishing a radiometric laboratory (Z. Šmejkal) dealing with application of radio-analytic methods to study of building materials.

A predominant part of the said research activities was pursued at KAnT in 1990-1996, when the Department was led by Professor Ing. Zdeněk Šolc, CSc., and they continue also at present under the leadership of assoc. prof. Ing. Ladislav Svoboda, CSc. In connection with the fact that several staff members left the Department (S. Pirkl, O. Söhnel), the research into technology of production of highly pure materials was stopped, and the research into liquid crystals was transferred to Department of Physics, Faculty of Chemical Technology.

At present, the Department of Inorganic Technology ensures teaching in the 3^rd year of undergraduate (MSc) studies in the specialisation Chemistry and chemical technology (Inorganic chemical technology), and then especially in the 4^th and 5^th years of this program, ensuring the specialisation of Inorganic technology. Moreover, the Department is responsible for postgraduate study program (PhD) in Chemistry and chemical technology, section Inorganic technology.

The students in this section obtain knowledge in physical-chemical basics of chemical, especially inorganic manufacturing processes, therewith connected procedures and equipment, and particular technological procedures. Besides that, they are given necessary information in the areas of quality management, economics, statistics and methods needed for research and experimental activities. The main profile-forming sections are Technology of inorganic pigments, Agrochemistry, Inorganic analysis, Industrial crystallisation and precipitation. The graduates find jobs in chemical industry, pure and applied research, schools, agriculture and other branches connected with this specialisation.

The scientific and research activities of Department are oriented in three directions. Research on special, environmentally friendly and problemless inorganic pigments is particularly focused on the field of pigments for high-temperature applications and pigments with anticorrosion effects (M. Trojan, P. Šulcová, J. Luxová, Ž. Mesíková). The section of Thermodynamics is, above all, dealing with studies of crystallisation and precipitation processes by calorimetric methods and studies of behaviour of non-crystalline materials (G. Sádovská, P. Pustková). The section of Agrochemistry deals with studies of fertilisers with controlled release of nutrients and development of methods for inorganic analysis (L. Svoboda, P. Bělina, L. Robešová).