Suvo, PERMAcast set concrete joint venture in stone

ASX-listed Suvo Strategic Minerals’ subsidiary company Climate Tech Cement has inked a 50:50 joint-venture (JV) agreement with respected concrete manufacturer PERMAcast R&D Pty Ltd to commercialise the intellectual property held by Suvo for a low-carbon “geopolymer” cement product made from processed mining waste, predominantly nickel slag.

The partners are looking to introduce low-carbon concrete projects and products to the construction market that have been manufactured using a more environmentally friendly chemical reaction rather than the traditional highly polluting roasting process that is often used when manufacturing cement. Notably, the process makes use of multiple different industrial waste streams as its feedstock.

PERMAcast is a large private WA based company that provides pre-cast concrete products to sizeable construction projects.  The list of projects that PERMAcast has worked on includes most of the high-profile projects in Perth over the last decade or so such as Elizabeth Quay, Optus Stadium and the Mitchell Freeway extension to name just a few.

An announcement back in July revealed a joint-development-agreement between Suvo, Climate Tech and PERMAcast to develop the new-age green cement technology that has proven in laboratory testing to have high-strength whilst eliminating the high-levels of carbon dioxide emitted during the traditional manufacturing process of cement products.

Suvo holds a world-wide IP license for its “Geopolymer” cement that is considered a green-alternative replacement for traditional cement products.

Notably, the chemical reaction process involves the sourcing of waste product streams such as nickel slag, fly-ash from coal and others with a view to manufacturing a finished cement product that does not require roasting.

Suvo has conducted multiple tests and determined the best waste products for the conversion process are those highest in alumina silicate, which includes nickel slag. Slag, which is commonly stockpiled or committed to landfill, has been provided by PT Huadi Nickel-Alloy Indonesia (PT HNI) from its nickel pig iron operation in South Sulawesi.

PT Huadi Nickel-Alloy Indonesia (PT HNI) is one of Indonesia’s biggest nickel producers and stockpiles significant quantities of nickel slag.

Climate Tech has been given the task of identifying various industrial by-products from several big mining firms that may play a role in providing stockfeed for the new technological process.

Suvo Strategic Minerals executive chairman Aaron Banks said: “This JV is essential as we will have first-hand knowledge of market insight, be able to leverage resources and infrastructure, seek market validation and credibility and most importantly establish processes and networks that can accelerate product development timelines, allowing for quicker commercialisation.”

Suvo also released news yesterday of an oversubscribed $2 million placement to help develop and commercialise the technology, with the owners of PERMAcast stumping-up a cool $300,000 to join the company’s register.

The pairing between Suvo, which holds the technology license and PERMAcast, one of WA’s largest pre-cast concrete players at face value appears to make sense.

And it would seem the owners of PERMAcast are equally enthused about Suvo’s technology too having opened their wallets for $300,000 in the recent capital raise. 

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au