In another circular economy win, Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd (ASX:SUV) has transformed a zero-carbon nickel slag into a high-strength, low-carbon cement.
Three samples were tested at the Makassar State University (UNM) in Indonesia, demonstrating “exceptional” results with the highest strength reaching 37.5 megapascals (Mpa) after only seven days.
Given the production of cement requires about 3.2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year, representing about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, turning nickel slag into low-carbon cement could offer a large market opportunity.
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“We are excited to have commenced this workstream in Indonesia testing the byproduct of one of the country’s largest miners, with our ultimate goal being to manufacture an environmentally-friendly and low-carbon alternative to Portland cement,” Suvo executive chair Aaron Banks said.
“Achieving up to 37.5Mpa after only seven days is an outstanding first-round trial result for the company and could provide an entry into a large industry.
“If the cement industry were a country, it would only be behind China and the United States of America in CO2 emissions. The world use of cement is equivalent to building New York City every 40 days.
“The nickel slag used in this round of testing comes with a zero-carbon footprint and the opportunity to play a part in reducing emissions in the cement industry is analogous to the role of electric vehicles in replacing internal combustion engines in the global passenger car fleet.
“We will now commence the next round of testing with UNM and will provide the results of both trials to PT Huadi which will allow us to advance negotiations with respect to a potential partnership and or the ongoing offtake of the nickel slag and commercialisation of a low carbon cement by the company.”
Nickel slag is a byproduct of nickel production, generally stockpiled or committed to landfill.
SUV’s technology would have the dual benefits of reducing nickel slag waste while providing a value-add opportunity and reducing the overall carbon requirements of cement manufacturing, taking material steps toward a circular, carbon-neutral and sustainable economy.
The nickel slag used by UNM was provided by PT Huadi Nickel-Alloy Indonesia (PT HNI), a nickel pig iron (NPI) operation in Indonesia.
PT HNI, being one of the country’s largest nickel producers, stockpiles significant quantities of nickel slag as part of its operations.
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UNM will now commence a second laboratory trial using standard apparatus, testing slump, initial and final setting time and dry shrinkage of the low-carbon cement. The results of both trials will be provided to PT HNI.