Displaying items by tag: lithium

Canada: Lithium Universe has signed a memorandum of understanding with Lafarge Canada for the supply of aluminosilicate product (ACSR) from its Bécancour lithium refinery for use in Lafarge Canada’s cement.

The parties will work towards a definitive supply agreement, which would see Lafarge sourcing all ACSR from the facility in a bid to reduce waste and support a circular economy.

Lithium Universe chair Iggy Tan said “This is great news for Lithium Universe as we partner with Lafarge Canada to enhance the North American battery materials supply chain and promote sustainable innovation in Canada’s cement industry. This collaboration will not only advance our focus on building Bécancour Lithium Refinery’s secondary product supply chain but also strengthen local supply chains, foster a more circular economy in Québec, and contribute to greener construction materials.”

Germany: Rock Tech Lithium has signed a memorandum of understanding with Schwenk Zement to utilise lithium production by-products from Rock Tech’s Guben converter for use in cement manufacturing at Schwenk's facilities. The primary objective of the partnership is to develop industrial applications for residues generated from Rock Tech's lithium-hydroxide production, specifically spodumene leach residues. During initial studies conducted by the Institute of Technologies and Economics of Lithium, the leach residues demonstrated potential as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for use in cement manufacturing, offering benefits such as reduced carbon emissions and cost savings.

The partnership aims to process up to 200,000t/yr of by-products by 2029, with Schwenk planning investments in drying, grinding and storage facilities for the leach residues.

Johann Trenkwalder, member of the management board of Schwenk Germany, said "Ensuring the future supply of sufficient quantities of high-quality cement grinding materials is of great strategic importance for Schwenk. The leached spodumene concentrate produced during the operation of the planned converter in Guben represents an interesting and regionally-available source of SCMs."

Germany: Canada-based company Rock Tech has promoted a peer-reviewed study by the German Lithium Institute that confirms the potential of byproducts from lithium production to be used in cement manufacture. The study found that leached spodumene concentrate (LSC), primarily composed of aluminosilicates, can replace fly ash as an additive in the cement industry. The study also revealed that adding 20% LSC to Portland cement increases its compressive strength by 10%. The process for producing and utilising LSC has been submitted for a patent.

"The phase-out of coal and the transformation of the steel industry will sooner or later lead to changed or disappearing material streams that have been significant for the cement industry in terms of CO₂ savings and product portfolio. The LSC from lithium production has the potential to compensate for these depleting material streams in the future."

Chile: Cementos Bío Bío has changed its name to Cbb as as part of a rebranding exercise to target the group for the digital age and to target growth outside of Chile. Chief executive officer (CEO) Enrique Elsaca said that the change is part of the company’s Transforma 2021 plan, including investment of US$150m in Chile, Argentina and Peru, according to the El Mercurio newspaper.

It is about to inaugurate a cement grinding plant at Arica in Chile, it plans to build a US$20m plant at Arequipa in Peru for commissionoing in early 2020 and it plans to upgrade its San Juan lime plant in Argentina. It also hopes to build a new lime plant in northern Argentina to supply the lithium business.