Suvo Strategic Minerals secures LXRP support to advance low carbon concrete products

Suvo Strategic Minerals secures letter of support from Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project
LXRP will help company navigate technical and commercial approvals and offer field trial opportunities
Deakin University to formulate various lower embodied carbon concrete mixes using kaolin from Suvo’s Pittong operations

Special Report: Suvo Strategic Minerals has received a letter of support from Victorian government agency Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) relating to a collaboration on using lower embodied carbon concrete manufactured using kaolin.

Manufacturing of clinker, the mix of limestone and other minerals that make up the bulk of Portland cement, is the most energy intensive and carbon emitting step of the cement-making process.

Being able to replace clinker with kaolin has the potential to significantly reduce energy use and emissions with Suvo Strategic Minerals (ASX:SUV) noting that typical calcined kaolin cement blends have a clinker replacement factor of 0.5, which can reduce embodied carbon by ~40%.

This has led such blends to be seen as important materials to improve sustainability of Victoria’s major projects.

This fits in well with LXRP plans to introduce low carbon and price competitive construction materials as part of its decarbonisation strategy while it advances its goal of removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030.

Under the letter of support, LXRP will assist the company to navigate the technical and commercial approval processes involved in introducing new low carbon products to market.

It will also offer field trial opportunities for low carbon construction materials on LXRP projects.

Deakin research

As part of the collaboration, Deakin University has been engaged to formulate various lower embodied carbon concrete mixes using kaolin sourced from the company’s wholly owned Pittong operation in Victoria which has a nameplate capacity of 60,000tpa.

The university’s Institute for Frontier Materials will develop various mixes using a low-cost hydrous kaolin supplied by Suvo, targeting the formulation of structural, 50 Megapascal concrete.

Formulations developed at this stage will comprise ~50% Portland cement replacement with the second stage testing program targeting to develop up to 70% Portland cement replacement, which will further reduced embodied carbon.

Resulting products will form part of the field trials offered by LXRP.

“We are excited to commence our third vertical for the business. 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,” executive chairman Aaron Banks said.

He noted that developing calcined kaolin products was important as it was well understood in the market and 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,” Banks added.

“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. 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.”

He also pointed out the company has several options to consider for the supply of its kaolin as a supplementary cementitious material.

It could partner with an existing cement company or consider buying Portland cement and manufacturing the low carbon binder, much like it already manufactured and supplied kaolin formulations.

“Assuming completion of a successful formulation, Suvo could then move to a financial study to consider the options,” Banks noted.

“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.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Suvo Strategic Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.