New Study Reveals Lithium By-Products Can Be Used in Cement Production

Rock Tech Lithium Inc. has announced the findings of a peer-reviewed study published by the German Lithium Institute, which 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, which is now a slowly depleting by-product of coal-fired power generation.

Also it has been shown that the compressive strength of Portland cement, the most used type of cement worldwide, increases by 10% when 20% 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, said, "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."

The study was supported by ITEL's shareholding companies, Rock Tech Lithium, GP Günter Papenburg AG, and SCHWENK Zement GmbH & Co. KG, which offers comprehensive supply of cement, concrete, sand & gravel, and pumping services in Germany.

"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.," said Dr. Thomas Neumann, Head of Research and Development at SCHWENK.

Rock Tech plans to build Europe's first lithium converter in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany. 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.