First Graphene (ASX:FGR) has produced around 600 tonnes of graphene enhanced cement before beginning a number of new trial projects relating to the material in the UK.
This campaign has accounted for around 3 tonnes of First Graphene’s PureGRAPH-CEM product. Commercial partner Breedon Group produced the additive at its Hope Cement Works in Derbyshire.
Manufacturing was completed in one day, with PureGRAPH-CEM added into its final milling stage.
The product was reported to allow users to reduce carbon dioxide footprint by up to 16% due to a lessened amount of carbon intensive ‘clinker’ required by PureGRAPH-CEM.
First Graphene’s product is currently being held in storage to be used at three projects across the UK. The University of Manchester will conduct strength testing and analysis of the concrete’s performance shortly.
Between 30 and 40 tonnes of graphene enhanced cement will be incorporated into roof tiles produced by FP McCann in the first trial at its Cadeby manufacturing plant in Leicestershire. Tiles will be tested for material use efficiencies and waste reduction benefits over five months at the Knockloughrim research and development facility.
The product will also be used for two infrastructure projects in the UK, which will be delivered as a part of its partnership with Morgan Sindall Group (LSE:MGNS) and Breedon.
CEO Michael Bell says producing 600 tonnes of cement containing PureGRAPH-CEM is a milestone for the company’s journey as it showcases the “product’s viability for production at scale”.
“Adding graphene into cement has proven to deliver performance benefits for a wide range of applications, and multiple end uses of this cement batch reinforces PureGRAPH’s versatility,” Bell says.
“We look forward to working closely with our strategic commercial partner Breedon, Morgan Sindall, FP McCann, and the University of Manchester as application trials roll out over the coming months.”
First Graphene is a developer and supplier of graphitic materials and product formulations with a specific commercial focus on global markets including cement and concrete.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: First Graphene
