First Graphene Ltd (ASX:FGR, OTCQB:FGPHF) has entered an initial two-year Joint Development and Commercialisation Agreement with the UK’s largest cement manufacturer, Breedon Group, at their Hope Cement Works in the Peak District National Park.
The companies will work together to enhance Breedon’s CEM II mechanical properties to improve compressive strength, reduce the clinker factor of Breedon’s cement and thereby reduce its carbon footprint.
Through the agreement First Graphene will continue to develop a range of graphene-enhanced solutions and will conduct wide ranging research, provide specialist advice and technical support on graphene and graphene-based formulations. It will formulate graphene enhanced grinding aids and cement admixtures, as well as develop methods for adding them into cement production facilities.
Breedon will provide FGR with access to its Hope Cement Works manufacturing facility in Derbyshire, giving FGR a controlled environment to work in.
FGR will also have the expertise of staff at hand to assist development and implementation of graphene dosing techniques and improved low-emission cement-based products. Breedon will also supply FGR with access to cement market data.
“First Graphene is very excited about formalising our partnership with Breedon and ramping up our commercialisation journey in the cement and concrete sector,” First Graphene managing director and CEO Michael Bell said.
“Breedon is an early adopter and exemplar of carbon reduction initiatives in the cement and concrete sector, with a firm goal of reducing its own gross carbon output by 30% by 2030 and helping meet their clients’ own sustainability objectives.
“Through our agreement, First Graphene intends to help Breedon reach its target as well as improve market penetration for graphene enhanced cement and concrete products, which can drastically reduce carbon emissions produced by the sector.”
Phase two trials to launch
The agreement come ahead of FGR and Breedon initiating a second phase of trials to fine-tune dosage rates and application methods for PureGRAPH® enhanced products at Hope Cement Works. The first phase, completed in September 2023, used some 600 kilograms of PureGRAPH® to manufacture several hundred tonnes of CEM II cement.
CEM II cement, which uses reduced amounts of carbon-intensive clinker, resulted in a 15% decline in carbon emissions compared to standard CEM II cement. This offers the cement and concrete industry a pathway to meet sustainability goals. Initial tests indicated the possibility of boosting early-stage compressive strength by up to 10%, a significant mechanical advantage over standard controls.
Once complete, the graphene-augmented cement and concrete were employed to construct a temporary wheel-washing facility at a live infrastructure project managed by trial partner Morgan Sindall Group.
Should results of research and development work undertaken through the agreement deliver commercial opportunities, First Graphene retains the right to own the intellectual property for any product being delivered to the open market.
Agreement advances First Graphene's industrial-scale strategy
First Graphene's decision to collaborate with Breedon signifies a major advancement in its goal to commercialise graphene at an industrial level. This comes on the back of previously announced validated commercial scale trial results. For context, Breedon produces over two million tonnes of cement and nearly three million cubic metres of ready-mixed concrete annually.
Breedon is also intensifying its investments in integrating CEM II into its concrete mixes to meet its own carbon reduction goals as well as those of its clients. The company aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, aligning with the Global Cement and Concrete Association's industry-wide targets.
Under the agreement, Breedon will enjoy preferential pricing on any future commercial products. Given Breedon's considerable production levels and the growing global demand for concrete—estimated at four billion tonnes per annum with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2022 to 2029—the market potential for First Graphene’s PureGRAPH® range appears promising.