Australia: Terra Cement, a sustainable cement technology company, has signed a joint venture agreement with Ore Mines International (OMI) in South Australia to form a new company, called Terra Cement Australia (TCA). TCA will engage in the marketing of Terra's proprietary process (patent pending) for producing sustainable cement using ash in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

"As collaborators with a global reach and local market knowledge, industry leaders such as OMI play a significant role driving innovation to market," said Henry Val, CEO at Terra. "OMI's expertise enables rapid commercialisation by freeing us to focus on the development of our core technology. Likewise, our technology gives OMI access to a large, new market that would not exist without Terra."

TCA will convert existing cement plants and mixing facilities to produce hydrogel made from fly ash in Australia. When organic proprietary liquids are added, sustainable cement is produced, which is stronger, more durable and cures faster than Ordinary Portland Cement. No thermal energy is used and no carbon dioxide emissions are produced during the manufacturing process.

OMI has conducted preliminary testing of the ash available in Australia and has determined it to be suitable for the production of its cement. OMI has ordered the design for the conversion process for its existing facilities and will complete the process in the near future. TCA, as a joint venture, will begin its operations by the end of 2014.