Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) has received a letter of support from the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP), a Victorian Government agency, offering field trial opportunities for low-carbon construction materials on LXRP projects.
The collaboration would use lower embodied carbon concrete manufactured using kaolin from Suvo’s 100%-owned Pittong operation, in field trial opportunities on LXRP projects.
Deakin University has been engaged to formulate various lower embodied carbon concrete mixes, utilising kaolin from the Pittong operation.
“We are very pleased to receive the letter of support from LXRP and we look forward to working with them alongside Deakin University to introduce low carbon and price competitive binders into major infrastructure projects in the Victorian market,” Suvo executive chair Aaron Banks said.
The test work to be performed by Deakin University aims to substitute up to 70% of Portland cement using Suvo’s kaolin. The resulting lower embodied carbon concrete mixtures will form part of the field trials offered by LXRP.
As part of its decarbonisation strategy, LXRP is required to use low-carbon and price-competitive construction materials. Suvo’s hydrous kaolin, from its Pittong operation, offers the potential for production of a lower embodied carbon concrete.
Suvo calcined kaolin cement
“We are excited to commence our third vertical for the business,” Banks said.
“Having successfully set up with PERMAcast and further advancing testing in Indonesia with PT Huadi on our one-part geopolymer binder, we now look to create our “transition piece” – our calcined kaolin cement.
“As we develop our low carbon geopolymer binders it is important to run in parallel this transition piece as calcined kaolin is well understood in the market as a Class 1 ‘Supplementary Cementitious Material’ and it potentially represents a quicker pathway to revenue.
“Traditionally, you can swap out 50% of Portland cement with calcined kaolin, which is a great start but first prize for us would be the ability to create a formulation removing up to 70% of Portland cement.
Typical calcined kaolin cement blends have a clinker replacement factor of 0.5 and therefore can have an embodied carbon reduction of about ~40%. Due to the lower embodied carbon, calcined kaolin cement blends are seen as an important material change to increase sustainability of Victoria’s major projects.
Bringing new low-carbon products to market
“Being the only hydrous kaolin producer in the country, we arguably have the first mover advantage to commence production as soon as the formulations are complete”, said Banks.
“Our aim is to utilise low-cost secondary kaolin where the majority of the cost has been booked to our primary high-end kaolin that we currently sell to existing clients.
“The company has a number of options to consider for the supply of our kaolin as a supplementary cementitious material.
“The company could partner with an existing cement company or could consider buying Portland cement and manufacturing the low-carbon binder, much like we manufacture and supply kaolin formulations already.
“Assuming completion of a successful formulation, Suvo could then move to a financial study to consider the options.”
LXRP intends to assist Suvo to navigate the technical and commercial approval processes involved in introducing new low-carbon products to market.