Terra CO2 Technologies Ltd, a private company that is owned 57.8% by Strategic Metals Ltd has announced some recent corporate developments, news of expanded operations plus important milestones. Terra is developing Alternative Cementitious Material (ACM) as an environmentally-sensitive alternative to Portland cement. Terra’s ACM research is in the field of geopolymer cement, also known as alkali-activated materials (AAM). The company is also is also exploring applications for the technology that are specific to the mining industry, such as binders for tailings and backfill.

Portland cement has been at the core of modern construction for generations and is nearly a C$500 billion business annually. However, the cement industry is a major CO2 emitter. Production and transportation of Portland cement account for 7 to 8% of annual CO2 emissions world-wide. Terra’s ACM technology has potential to replace Portland Cement, thereby reducing CO2 output by 60% or more, without compromising strength or cost.

Terra has now engaged Industria Partners, an investment banking group based in Denver, Colorado, to assist with fund raising and to help design an effective business model for commercialisation of the ACM technology. Terra has also engaged three very experienced legal firms. Fasken in Canada, and FisherBroyles LLP in the US are working to prepare and file patent applications as part of a comprehensive intellectual property strategy. Two provisional patent applications have already been filed in regards to ACM and production processes. These applications are important milestones for the company because they protect vital intellectual property. More patent applications will be submitted in the coming months. The third newly-engaged legal firm, Hogan and Lovells US, LLP, will coordinate with Terra’s existing legal and accounting representatives to facilitate effective operations in the USA.

Terra is currently conducting its research at a small facility in North Vancouver, BC, and will soon be re-locating and expanding its laboratory. The new facility will house a laboratory pilot plant with 10-fold increase in hourly production capacity and enhanced process monitoring. These upgrades will allow Terra’s researchers to accelerate evaluation of various mix designs, to optimise the relationship between performance and cost of production, and to test different processing parameters more effectively. Terra is presently focused on optimising the technology for ready-mix concrete which makes up the majority of the cement market in North America. Over time, Terra expects to broaden its research to cover more specialised cement applications. Although Terra’s main focus is on developing a replacement for Portland Cement used in concrete construction, it is also exploring applications for the technology that are specific to the mining industry, such as binders for dry-stacked tailings, backfill and grouts.

Terra has contracted with Hazen Research, Inc to conduct a pilot-scale test of its ACM manufacturing technology at Hazen’s research campus in Golden, Colorado. Milling of the feedstock is underway and thermal processing will commence in the coming weeks. ACM material produced by the test will be sent from Hazen to independent materials testing laboratories, where strength and other key characteristics of cement and concrete will be evaluated according to nationally-recognised standards. If successful, this pilot-scale test will be another major milestone for Terra and a key step toward commercialisation.

Terra has recently completed a federally-funded proof-of-concept study on solidification/stabilisation of coal tailings from a site in Nova Scotia. Terra is awaiting a review of the results and a decision regarding further field testing of Terra’s ACM technology with the goal of decommissioning a tailings pond.

“Terra and its research team have made very significant strides in advancement of technologies that have potential to be highly disruptive in a major industry. Cement is one of the most widely used commodities on Earth and has enormous market value. Global concerns with rising CO2 emissions are driving aggressive efforts by the cement industry to reduce its CO2 output, and Terra’s technologies could be key to attaining this goal” states Doug Eaton, President and CEO of Strategic. “We strongly believe that Terra is assembling the right team, and has the tail winds in place, to rapidly capitalise on an immensely important environmental and business opportunity.”