Rio Tinto Minerals (RTM) this week formally launched its Asia Technology Centre (ATC) to serve the growing market for borates in Asia. The company is recognised as a world leader in borate supply and science. Borates are found in a variety of products including high technology glass used in flat screen televisions and laptops, fibreglass to make buildings energy efficient, and fertilisers that help farmers increase crop quality and yield. The ATC in Suzhou, China joins research facilities in the US and is fully developed with laboratories, offices and work spaces, and built for growth.
RTM is the world’s leading provider of refined borates, a critical ingredient in hundreds of products including glass, fibreglass, ceramics, fertilisers, wood preservatives, detergents and many others. Through Borax, its century old borates business, Rio operates mining, refining and shipping facilities on four continents and maintains a global network of warehouses and stock points. Researchers and specialists work to advance borate science, pioneering new products and applications that harness the many properties of this uncommonly versatile resource.
Demand for the products is fueled by a variety of factors, including rising standards of living and rapid urbanisation, energy efficiency trends, and more productive and sustainable farming practices. Global demand is forecast to continue growing well into the future.
RTM mines approximately 3 Mt/y of borate ore from its mine in California’s Mojave Desert, one of the richest borate deposits on earth, as well as from mines in Argentina. Rio produces some 1 Mt/y of refined borate products from its refineries and processing plants – nearly 40% of the world’s supply.
Construction of the centre, designed for LEED silver certification for energy efficiency and low environmental impact, began in March 2012. It was completed in November 2012 with no lost time injuries in 126,000 man-hours of work.
The ATC provides important internal capabilities in glass and ceramics, metals and advanced materials, and agriculture and specialty chemicals to support RTM’s research and development expansion in Asia. The company’s research and development strategy is to partner with customers, universities, government labs and other centres of to pursue commercially relevant innovation.
RTM President and Chief Executive Xiaoling Liu said “Asia is the largest and fastest growing market for borates in the world, accounting for 50% of global demand. Refined borates play an important role in promoting higher standards of living and addressing energy and food shortages. We are proud to partner with respected companies and research organisations throughout Asia to provide reliable, consistent innovation now and into the future.”