Zeotech (ASX:ZEO) is working to advance the development of low-emissions building products using its cement supplement –  high-grade kaolin. It aims to do this through a new partnership with Holcim Australia, one of the largest building material organisations in Australia and New Zealand.

Zeotech is a Queensland mineral processing technology company that holds the Toondoon kaolin project, south-west of Bundaberg, QLD. While Holcim Australia is a leading supplier of aggregates, concrete, and concrete pipe and products. 

Zeotech, which has a market capitalisation of $64.9 million, has executed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with $50 billion supplier, Holcim Australia.

Zeotech Managing Director Peter Zardo says the MOU provides a framework for ongoing collaboration and the supply of larger volumes of the company’s high reactivity metakaolin (HRM) to Holcim for concrete pilot trials, which will aid the completion of a Feasibility Study and may lead to future commercial arrangements.

Highlights of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Holcim Australia:

• Zeotech will provide Holcim Australia with up to 10 tonnes of high reactivity metakaolin (HRM) and exchange technical information and test results to support the completion of a Prefeasibility Study.
• Each organisation agrees to collaborate on potential State or Federal Government funding to develop low-emissions technologies associated with metakaolin production or Holcim Australia products. 
• The agreement considers the potential for joint ventures or alternative profit-sharing structures pursuant to metakaolin manufacturing using Zeotech’s high-grade raw ore kaolin and the associated financing and construction of any such facilities.

What is Metakaolin?
 

Metakaolin is a semi-calcined kaolin used to enhance the performance characteristics of cement-based mortars, concrete, and related products. It contributes to increased compressive and flexural strength, reduced permeability and shrinkage, greater durability, and it reduces the potential for efflorescent and control degradation caused by alkali silica reaction.

Research undertaken by Central Queensland University in early 2024 has confirmed that a high reactivity metakaolin (HRM) can be produced from a range of the Company’s Toondoon kaolin profiles. High reactivity metakaolin produced exceeds Australian Standard and ASTM International Standard for a manufactured pozzolan.

Zeotech’s Toondoon Kaolin Project

The project comprises of an approved mining lease and two exploration permits, is located about 20km south of Mundubbera in Queensland and spans over 28,000 hectares.

The high kaolinite content of Toondoon’s raw ore, of between 80-90%, underpins a simple flowsheet and potential competitive cost advantage due to the limited beneficiation required to produce a high reactivity metakaolin.

Metakaolin is increasing in demand as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) that could advance low-carbon cement and concrete by partially substituting clinker in Portland cement and concrete binder mixes.

Zeotech says SCMs are the most viable alternative to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions of the cement and concrete industries in the short term. The cement and concrete industry account for about 8% of global emissions and studies have shown metakaolin can reduce the associated CO2 emissions of producing concrete by up to 40%.