Cleantech stock Zeotech has progressed its IP protection strategy by filing PCT for its patent over its unique process developed by the University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering to produce synthetic zeolite from lithium by-products.

It comes after early commercial interest for the process as the lithium refining industry grows on the back of the EV and battery revolution.

As lithium battery demand grows its anticipated that the lithium refinery sector will produce significant amounts of lithium process by-product.  The process of converting spodumene

concentrates to lithium hydroxide requires about 7 tonnes of concentrate feed to produce 1 tonne of lithium hydroxide, with the balance by-product tailings

Zeotech’s (ASX:ZEO) has filed for a patent under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, which would protect the technology in 150 countries around the world, and follows positive news earlier this month on the PCT application for its core proprietary technology.

Earlier this month Zeotech received word that its patent application over its process to develop synthetic zeolite from aluminosilicates (such as kaolin), mine/process tailings was progressing to the National Phase of the patent application process.

The International Preliminary Report on Patentability, for Zeotech’s core technology was extremely promising, with the International Preliminary Examination Authority examiner expressing a view that all 26 claims in the PCT application forming the company’s core proprietary technology were both novel and inventive.

The lithium by-product processing patent is an extension of Zeotech’s core technology and would provide another business opportunity on top of this core tech, enhancing its proposition as an emerging cleantech play.

“Zeotech is developing a world’s first process for the low-cost manufacture of synthetic zeolites and values the dedication and support of the team at The University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering, throughout the development of the company’s proprietary technology,” Zeotech managing director Peter Zardo said.

“The filing of PCT specific to utilising lithium process by-product as a feedstock to produce synthetic zeolites, enhances Zeotech’s IP position and cleantech proposition.”

 

Zeolites a key clean technology

UQ is currently undertaking bench-scale optimisation of two separate leached spodumene samples from large lithium refinery participants as part of the dual-feed pilot program.

Zeotech is targeting the global market for molecular sieve synthetic zeolites (which represents a $1.5 billion pa market), aiming to use the UQ process to manufacture the product at low cost.

The zeolites are manufactured aluminosilicate minerals with a sponge-like structure; essentially molecular sieves with tiny pores that make them useful as catalysts or ultrafine filters.

Zeolites act almost like a magnet that can hold heavy metals, ammonia, low level radioactive elements, toxins, petrochemicals, and gases – which presents a commercial environmental management solution.

This article was developed in collaboration with Zeotech, 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.

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