Zeotech (ASX:ZEO) is working to accelerate the development of low emissions building products using its high-grade kaolin via a partnership with one of the largest building materials companies in Australia and New Zealand.
The company, which has a market capitalisation of $64.9 million, has executed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Holcim (Australia), a $50 billion supplier of aggregates, concrete and concrete pipe and products.
Zeotech Managing Director Peter Zardo says the MOU provides a framework for ongoing collaboration and the supply of larger volumes of the company’s high reactivity metakaolin (HRM) to Holcim for concrete pilot trials, which will aid the completion of a Feasibility Study and may lead to future commercial arrangements.
Zeotech will provide Holcim Australia with up to 10 tonnes of HRM for concrete pilot trials for further commercial validation and exchange technical information and test results to support the completion of a Prefeasibility Study.
Metakaolin is a semi-calcined kaolin used to enhance the performance characteristics of cement-based mortars, concrete, and related products.
It contributes to increased compressive and flexural strength, reduced permeability and shrinkage, greater durability, and reduces potential for efflorescent and control degradation caused by alkali silica reaction.
Metakaolin is increasing in demand as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) that could advance low carbon cement and concrete by partially substituting clinker in Portland cement and concrete binder mixes.
Zeotech says SCMs are the most viable alternative to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions of the cement and concrete industries in the short term.
The cement and concrete industry account for about 8% of global emissions and studies have shown metakaolin can reduce the associated CO2 emissions of producing concrete by up to 40%.
Zeotech previously supplied Holcim Australia with kaolin samples for testing and a report prepared by Central Queensland University associated with trials undertaken using the company’s raw ore kaolin.
The company says the report confirmed that a HRM that exceeds the Australian Standard and ASTM International Standard for a manufactured pozzolan can be produced from a range of Zeotech’s Toondoon kaolin profiles.
Zeotech and Holcim have also agreed to collaborate on potential state or federal funding to develop low-emission technologies associated with metakaolin or Holcim Australia products.
The pair will also investigate the potential for joint venture or alternative profit-sharing structures related to metakaolin manufacturing using Zeotech’s high-grade raw ore kaolin.
Zeotech’s Toondoon Kaolin Project, which comprises an approved mining lease and two exploration permits, is located about 20km south of Mundubbera in Queensland and spans over 28,000 hectares.
The company says the high kaolinite content of Toondoon’s raw ore, of between 80-90%, underpins a simple flowsheet and potential competitive cost advantage due to the limited beneficiation required to produce a high reactivity metakaolin.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: Zeotech
