Zeotech Ltd (ASX:ZEO) shares were trading about 7% higher intra-day at 3.1 cents after progressing to infield validation of its zeoteCH₄® methane control technology following successful outcomes from extended methane oxidation trials.
The program started at Griffith University in February 2023 and aims to develop zeolite-based technology (biofilter) to be deployed within the surface capping soil of landfills to adsorb and eliminate methane emissions through a process of chemical or biological oxidation, and potentially mitigate a greenhouse gas which has 28 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.
Zeotech will now proceed with field validation of zeoteCH₄® at one of Cleanaway Waste Management (NYSE:WM) Ltd’s landfill sites following the successful outcomes from extended methane oxidation trials undertaken during Activity B of the program.
Key activities under the methane emissions control program with the dark green indicating the approximate progress of each activity.
The decision to advance the trial towards infield validation follows promising results achieved during Activity A and B of the program and highlights the potential of the methane control innovation with large industry partners.
The program has unlocked significant new knowledge and Zeotech is taking practical steps to protect the intellectual property being generated by exploring the patentability of novel aspects of the technology.
Griffith and Cleanaway team members undertaking program trial cell selection site at Cleanaway’s Landfill.
Griffith University, School of Environment and Science, Australian Rivers Institute, Dr. Chris Pratt said: “Our most recent work has delivered robust constant methane oxidation efficiencies and strong methanotroph zeolite acclimatisation.
“The expansion of Activity B enabled more extensive and in-depth trials, which ultimately achieved the outcomes required to move forward with infield trials at Cleanaway’s landfill site.
“We remain excited to be working on such a valuable project which could potentially contribute to Australia’s pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.”
Unlocking real-world commercial potential
Zeotech chief executive officer Scott Burkhart added: “We are extremely excited to be transitioning from the lab environment and moving into field trials to further validate our solution and unlock the real-world commercial potential of Zeotech’s methane control innovation.
“Zeotech would like to thank Dr. Chris Pratt and his team at Griffith University for their ongoing focus and dedication, which was required to achieve the results needed to advance to infield trials.”
“We also thank Dr. Taku Ide and the team at Cleanaway for their ongoing collaboration and support to facilitate the infield trials at their landfill site.”
Next steps
Upcoming activities will focus on developing and evaluating scalable configurations for zeoteCH₄® products developed under Activity B.
Following successful configuration development, the program will move infield at Cleanaway’s host landfill site where soil samples were collected earlier in the program.
Three field test plots measuring 20m² have been reserved at the host site for this purpose.
Field validation will require substantial volumes of each zeoteCH₄® product. Zeotech’s in-house laboratory team has advanced production of the targeted product that has delivered sufficient inventories to meet volumes required for the field validation stage, which is expected to start from February 2024 and conclude around July 2024.
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