- Byproducts from Europe's
first lithium converter can compensate for the slowly reducing fly
ash from the phasing-out of coal power, effectively reducing CO2
emissions in the construction industry.
- Product properties of Portland cement are
improved – Patent for production and use has been
filed.
- Rock Tech Lithium pursues a zero-waste strategy in
Guben.
TORONTO, July 22,
2024 /CNW/ - Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK)
(OTCQX: RCKTF) (FWB: RJIB) (WKN: A1XF0V) ("Rock Tech" or the
"Company") is pleased to announce the findings of a peer-reviewed
study published by the German Lithium Institute. The study finds
that by-products from Rock Tech's Lithium conversion process can be
used as precursor material in the cement industry. Specifically, it
has been confirmed that leached spodumene concentrate (LSC)
generated during the production of lithium from spodumene holds
substantial industrial potential. The material, primarily composed
of aluminosilicates, can be used in the cement industry as an
additive for cement, replacing previously used fly ash, a now
slowly depleting by-product of coal-fired power generation. This
means that the by-products of Rock Tech's lithium production can
ensure the regional supply security of the German cement industry
with LSC and help reduce CO2 emissions.
Furthermore, it has been shown that the compressive strength of
Portland cement, the most used
type of cement worldwide, increases by ten percent when 20 percent
LSC is added—regardless of the origin of the spodumene used. The
process for producing and utilizing the LSC has been submitted for
a patent.
The study was conducted within the Mineralogy and Geochemistry
research group at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg by
doctoral candidate and ITEL scholarship holder Julia Woskowski. Dr. Andreas Neumann, a member of the research group,
explains: "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."
Jannik Schmitz, Supply Chain
Manager at ITEL shareholder Rock Tech Lithium, adds: "ITEL's study
takes us a big step further on our path to CO2 neutrality and
becoming the first zero-waste lithium company worldwide. It is
important to note that the suitability of LSC as a cement additive
is independent of the origin of the spodumene used. This confirms
our choice of production process and our procurement strategy to
source spodumene from several sustainably producing sources."
The study was supported by ITEL's shareholding companies, Rock
Tech Lithium Inc., GP Günter Papenburg AG, and SCHWENK Zement GmbH
& Co. KG. SCHWENK offers comprehensive supply of cement,
concrete, sand & gravel, and pumping services in Germany. Dr. Thomas
Neumann, Head of Research and Development at SCHWENK,
explains: "The use of industrial residues from lithium production
in cements and concretes significantly contributes to the
conservation of valuable natural resources. Through innovative
material use, we make an important contribution to achieving our
sustainability goals. By integrating these residues, we can not
only reduce environmental impact but also decrease CO2
emissions."
Rock Tech plans to build Europe's first lithium converter in Guben,
Brandenburg. With an annual production capacity of 24,000 tons of
lithium hydroxide, the converter can provide material for the
construction of 500,000 electric batteries. Thus, the converter
forms an important component of the battery value chain. Soon,
capacities for material recycling will be developed. Additionally,
the company aims to become the first zero-waste lithium company in
the world through the complete reuse of byproducts. The company
benefits from regional value chains and short distances.
ORIGINAL STUDY: J Woskowski, A Neumann, H Roggendorf, R
Wehrspohn, S Stöber, "Properties of low sulfur leached spodumene as
supplementary cementitious material in ordinary Portland cement" in Construction and Building
Materials, Volume 438, page 137096 (2024),
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137096; as well as the
associated patent application EP 2415 6323 at the European Patent
Office.
ABOUT ROCK TECH
Rock Tech's vision is to supply the electric vehicle and battery
industry with sustainable, locally produced lithium, targeting a
100% recycling rate. To ensure resilient supply chains, the company
plans to build lithium converters at the doorstep of its customers,
beginning with the Company's proposed Lithium Hydroxide Converter
in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany.
The second Converter is planned to be built in Red Rock, Ontario, Canada. Rock Tech Lithium
plans to source raw material from its own Georgia Lake spodumene project in the Thunder
Bay Mining District of Ontario,
Canada, and procure from other ESG-compliant mines.
Ultimately, Rock Tech's goal is to create a closed-loop lithium
production system. Rock Tech has gathered one of the strongest
teams in the industry to close the most pressing gap in the clean
mobility story. The Company has adopted strict environmental,
social and governance standards and is developing a proprietary
refining process to increase efficiency and sustainability
further.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES
PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE
EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF
THIS RELEASE.
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute
"forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws and
are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address
events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects
to occur are forward-looking statements. When used in this news
release, words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans",
"predicts", "believes", "estimates", "intends", "targets",
"projects", "forecasts", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could"
or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular,
this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining
to expectations concerning the Guben Converter, including the
design and features of the Guben Converter, as well as the expected
costs, capital expenditures, timing and outcomes thereof;
statements regarding the Company's future plans, estimates, and
schedules relating to the Guben Converter, including the
anticipated timing of future activities taken in support of the
development thereof; Rock Tech's potential financing arrangements;
the expected economic performance of the Guben Converter and
anticipated production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and
related processing methods employed; the estimated capital and
operating costs of the Guben Converter; the anticipated timing and
outcomes of a final investment decision, construction activities
and commissioning of the Guben Converter; statements regarding the
Company's sustainability and ESG related goals and strategy,
including the benefits and achievement thereof and future actions
taken by the Company in relation thereto; expected regulatory
processes and final outcomes; expectations regarding the electric
vehicle industry, including the demand for and pricing of
battery-grade lithium hydroxide and the benefits therefrom, and the
development of political and regulatory frameworks especially in
Germany and the European Union;
Rock Tech's opinions, beliefs and expectations regarding the
Company's business strategy, development and exploration
opportunities and projects; and plans and objectives of management
for the Company's operations and properties. Forward-looking
statements by their nature are based on assumptions and involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may
cause the actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and
other factors discussed in the Company's most recent management's
discussion and analysis and annual information form filed with the
applicable securities regulators. No assurances can be given that
any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements
will transpire or occur, and the Company cautions the reader not to
place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The
Company does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation to
update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events
or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/study-confirms-by-products-from-lithium-production-can-be-used-in-cement-production-302202105.html
SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc.