By-products from lithium converters can replace fly ash in cement production
During the production of lithium from spodumene, large quantities of leached spodumene concentrate (LSC) are produced as a by-product. The great industrial utilization potential of this LSC has now been confirmed by a study conducted by the German Lithium Institute (ITEL). The substance, which consists mainly of aluminosilicates, can be used in the construction industry as an additive for cement and thus replace previously used fly ash as a slowly dwindling by-product from coal-fired power generation. The by-products of Rock Tech’s lithium production can thus ensure regional security of supply for German cement production with LSC and also significantly reduce CO2 emissions in production. It has also been shown that the compressive strength of Portland cement, the most commonly used type of cement in the world, increases by 10% when 20% LSC is added to it – regardless of the origin of the LSC. The process for producing and using the substance has been submitted for a patent. The investigations were carried out as part of the Mineralogy and Geochemistry research group at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg by PhD student and ITEL scholarship holder Julia Woskowski. Dr. Andreas Neumann, member of the research group, explains: “Sooner or later, the coal phase-out and steel transformation will lead to changes in or elimination of material flows that have so far been of significance to the cement industry in terms of CO2 savings and product portfolio. The SCM material from lithium production has the potential to compensate for these dwindling material flows in the future.”
Jannik Schmitz, Supply Chain Manager at ITEL shareholder Rock Tech Lithium, explains: “The Lithium Institute’s study takes us a big step further on our path to CO2 neutrality and becoming the world’s first zero-waste lithium company. It is also important to realize 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 also our procurement strategy of sourcing the material from several sustainably producing sources.”
The study was actively supported by ITEL’s shareholder companies, Rock Tech Lithium Inc, GP Günter Papenburg AG and Schwenk Zement GmbH & Co. KG, actively supported the study. The long-established company Schwenk offers a nationwide supply of cement, concrete, sand & gravel and pumps in Germany. Dr. Thomas Neumann, Head of Research and Development at Schwenk, explains: “The use of industrial waste materials from lithium production in cements and concretes makes a significant contribution to conserving valuable natural resources. Through the innovative use of materials, we are making an important contribution to achieving our sustainability goals. By integrating these residual materials, we can not only reduce our environmental impact, but also cut CO2 emissions.” Rock Tech is planning to build Europe’s first lithium converter in Guben in Brandenburg/Germany. With an annual production capacity of 24000 t of lithium hydroxide, the converter will be able to provide material for the construction of 500000 electric batteries. This makes the converter an important building block in the battery value chain. Material recycling capacities are to be developed in the near future. The company also aims to become the world’s first zero-waste lithium company by completely reusing the by-products. The company benefits from regional value chains and short distances.
