Following the production and delivery of the company’s first low-carbon geopolymer precast product for a government infrastructure project, Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) has received compressive strength test results exceeding requirements.
Government infrastructure application
This product is a series of 1000mm by 350mm by 350mm geopolymer backing blocks delivered to a major government infrastructure hardscaping project in late July.
The end-use application specification for the project was 15 Megapascals (MPa) and the 28-day compressive strengths ranged from 31 to 35 MPa.
Testing of the concrete specimens by an independent external NATA-accredited laboratory was in line with the Australian standard for determining the compression strength of concrete (AS1012.9).
The production and subsequent delivery of the backing blocks was the first milestone under a Joint Development Agreement with JV partner, PERMAcast.
The JV parties are continuing the other work streams as outlined in the JDA, such as:
- prepare and test a range of GPC formulations to meet concrete strength requirements of nominally 10, 20, 30 and 40 MPa, and determine maximum strength attainable;
- characterise and assess applications and products that can utilise the different GPC strength formulations;
- test and demonstrate suitability of different GPC formulations for different applications and products; and
- assess cost and performance of different GPC applications and products to determine preferred route for commercialisation.
Many uses for sustainable concrete
The list of potential applications and pre-cast products that can use different GPC strength formulations is extensive and consists of retaining wall blocks, sleepers, stormwater pit bases, paving slabs, leech drains, septic tanks, kerbs, pipeline supports and many more.
Suvo's executive chair Aaron Banks said: “We are coming up the curve quickly now that we are set up at PERMAcast.
“We have produced a series of geopolymer pre-cast backing blocks in a short period, using our licensed proprietary geopolymer mix design.
“Importantly, these pre-cast backing blocks have exceeded the strength requirements of their end-use application.
“This is an outstanding milestone and one we could not have reached without PERMAcast.
“We have successfully manufactured and delivered a new geopolymer product on time and to specification, but most importantly the independent NATA testing results opens the door to a variety of products which we can now consider in our commercial rollout strategy.
“To put this into perspective, 40 MPa will provide an opportunity to manufacture a sustainable amount of commodity products that are currently available in the market.
“Our next step is to categorise products by level of demand, and from inquiries received, which will allow us to fine-tune the scale-up approach of the business.”
Out of the lab and into the real world
PERMAcast CEO Darren Hedley added: “What an awesome result! Hitting the required 15 MPa and upwards to 35 MPa isn't just good news – it's a huge win for the Suvo Strategic Minerals and PERMAcast partnership.
“This goes beyond the numbers; it strengthens the case for bringing our solutions out of the lab and into real-world applications. You don't have to compromise quality or performance to be sustainable.
“Exciting times ahead! We're building momentum and will continue innovating with new materials and by-products, customising solutions to meet different strength needs, and expanding into new applications.”