Zeotech secures pivotal Japanese patent for impurity-free zeolite production technology

Zeotech has secured a Japanese patent for impurity-free zeolite processing technology
Patent expands company’s commercial opportunity in the Japanese molecular sieve market
80-85% of Japan’s zeolite molecular sieve market, estimated at AU$240 million per annum, is driven by domestic production

Special Report: Zeotech has secured a Japanese patent for impurity-free zeolite processing technology, expanding the emerging mineral processing technology company’s commercial opportunity in the Japanese molecular sieve market.

Zeotech Limited (ASX: ZEO) has announced that it has been issued a patent in Japan relating to novel and proprietary mineral-processing technology held by the company for producing impurity-free synthetic zeolite from aluminosilicate feedstock, such as kaolin and process by-products.

The University of Queensland developed and optimised the technology during a pilot program funded by the ZEO from February 2021 to November 2022.

ZEO said the issuing of patent number 7571058, entitled Synthesis of Adsorption Materials, by the Japan Patent Office represented a significant milestone for the company since entering the National Phase of the patent granting procedure, which followed filing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in May 2020.

The company continues to pursue patent protection for its novel mineral processing technology in Australia, Canada, India, the Republic of Korea, and the US.

‘Key commercial imperative’

ZEO said Japan represented ~7% of the global zeolite market and granting of the Japanese patent was especially important because 80-85% of Japan’s zeolite molecular sieve market, estimated at AU$240m per annum, was driven by domestic production.

Zeolites – also known as molecular sieves – are porous mineral frameworks, naturally occurring or manufactured, composed mainly of aluminium, silicon and oxygen.

Their three-dimensional structures can trap, exchange or release ions and molecules, enabling zeolites to find applications in diverse industrial and environmental contexts.

The company said patent protection could expand commercial opportunities in Japan by licensing the technology.

ZEO head of projects, research and development Dr John Vogrin said expansion of ZEO’s IP in Japan was an important milestone for the company.

“On behalf of the Company, I would like to thank the technology’s inventors, Associate Professor James Vaughan and Dr Hong Peng from The University of Queensland, and all the team members who worked on the UQ pilot program,” he said.

“Securing a Japanese patent for our impurity-free zeolite processing technology marks an important milestone for the company.

“Japan is a large domestic manufacturer and consumer of manufactured zeolites in the Asia-Pacific region, and the protection of Zeotech’s IP in this region represents a key commercial imperative.”

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.