Lithium by-products, non-metallurgical slags, waste glass, clay and shales, and diatomaceous earth are all within the broad category of materials defined as siliceous or silico-aluminous materials that can react with calcium hydroxide to have cementitious properties; also known as Pozzolans. The term ‘Pozzolan’ reflects material both naturally occurring and by-products of various manufacturing processes with characteristics that don’t fit within the interests or material defined as; cement, lime, amorphous, silica, slag or fly ash. 

Over the past 12 months the Australasian Pozzolan Association (APozA) has paved the way to creating a new Australian Standard (sic AS3582.4) to assist in facilitating market confidence when specifying pozzolans in value added applications. The 2019 project proposal was approved by Standards Australia ticking off the initial stage in establishing a well-defined, published Standard. The APozA’s commitment to meet the specifications and procedures of Standards Australia will ensure Pozzolans are consistently recognised as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM’s) for use in the construction industry whilst enhancing concrete properties and contributing to a sustainable circular economy.

In the midst of the rigorous technical justification process, the APozA and its members are funding a testing/evaluation program designed to address a number of important areas which build confidence in the materials properties. The results will become a public document filling another knowledge void for a range of pozzolans.  In addition to investigating and developing a new Standard to facilitate, the Association will collect and publish technical, production and utilisation data of natural and manufactured pozzolans.

The Standards Australia project commenced in September 2019 and is scheduled to publish a document in late 2021. If your organisation is currently producing a pozzolan, get in touch to discuss how you could get involved in the APozA activities.