The cement and concrete industries are currently responsible for up to 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Pic: Getty
Energy
A five-year collaboration agreement has been entered into by First Graphene (ASX:FGR) and global construction chemicals manufacturer, Fosroc International, for the development of graphene-enhanced cement additives, or grinding aids.
Different methods to produce ‘greener’ cement, with lower clinker factor, are being explored by industry. Currently with every tonne of clinker produced, between 0.8 and 0.9 tonnes of CO2 is emitted.
The cement and concrete industries are currently responsible for up to 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions but with this first step, an emissions reduction of 25% by 2030 could be likely.
FGR says by adding low dosages of its PureGRAPH-enhanced cement additives to the final grinding phase of cement production, up to 20% lower clinker factor cement production is made possible.
The purpose of the five-year collaboration agreement is to “facilitate the exchange of knowledge” through research and development work, the company said in an market announcement this morning.
“Each party will contribute scientific and industry knowledge at its own cost, with First Graphene providing access to its PureGRAPH product range, formulation, and dispersion process technologies while Fosroc will take responsibility for additive raw material supplies.”
Ultimately, the goal is for the two entities to develop a range of PureGRAPH enhanced cement additives that Fosroc will add to its portfolio of speciality products.
Following an application to be made dual list on the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FFS), Vulcan (ASX:VUL) says it expects to be formally admitted in the first half of February 2022.
This means, once complete, VUL will be the first Australian company to have a dual listing on the regulated market of the FSE.
Set to increase the international profile of the company, while providing the full range of European investment community with an opportunity to invest in the company, Vulcan managing director Dr Francis Wedin said the move highlights “an important step”.
“This expands our European investor base and international exposure, while also fostering public and community acceptance of our Zero Carbon Lithium Project in the Upper Rhine Valley.”
A review of alternatives to support business needs and trading liquidity of the group following admission to the FSE is ongoing and includes engaging with advisors on assessing the merits of a potential capital increase.
However, at this stage Vulcan’s board of directors has not made a formal decision on this matter.
In a chairman’s address this morning, Hexagon Energy (ASX:HXG) – the developers of the NT (Pedirka) Blue H2 Project in the Northern Territory – said since beginning its PFS last year, work has continued to progress on its flagship hydrogen strategy.
“There is an overwhelming logic to locate the production plant in a coastal location and, in the first instance, produce ammonia as the ‘hydrogen carrier’ to reduce engineering, and logistical costs,” chairman Charles Whitfield said.
“The PFS has also highlighted that, whilst large scale hydrogen production using renewable energy and electrolysis and the delivery to end customers of liquid hydrogen is not yet economic, there are opportunities to maximise renewable input right from the outset to lower CO2 emissions without a detrimental impact on cost.”
He added that the recently signed MoU with FRV is a demonstration of the progress that Merrill and the Hexagon team have already made on this front.
The final stage of PFS work for Pedirka is anticipated for February 28, 2022.
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