Lithium Universe signs deal to supply Lafarge with alumina silicate byproduct as cement additive

Lithium Universe’s MoU could generate additional revenue by selling alumina silicate byproduct from lithium production.

Lithium Universe could sell alumina silicate byproduct from the production of lithium at its Bécancour refinery to Lafarge Canada for use as a cement additive. Pic: Getty Images

• Lithium Universe signs MoU with Lafarge for potential offtake of alumina silicate byproduct as a cement additive

• Alumina silicate use is proven to increase comprehensive strength of cement and could reduce production costs

• Selling byproduct will add revenue stream to company’s planned Bécancour lithium refinery in Québec

Special Report: Lithium Universe has bolstered the attractiveness of its planned Bécancour lithium refinery after signing a non-binding memorandum of understanding to supply a secondary product to cement producer Lafarge Canada.

The MoU covers the exclusive supply of aluminosilicate secondary product produced as a byproduct of lithium refining at Bécancour to Lafarge as a cement additive that increases compressive strength and reduces production costs.

Lafarge – an affiliate of global building materials giant Holcim – is the largest provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions in Canada, including aggregates, cement, ready mix and precast concrete, asphalt and paving, road and civil construction.

Lithium Universe’s (ASX:LU7) Bécancour refinery is projected to produce 18,270tpa of green battery-grade lithium carbonate to help close a lithium conversion gap in North America, which has millions of tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent resources but a yawning chasm when it comes to chemical conversion capacity.

As part of this process, the refinery will also produce 130,000tpa of alumina silicate that features a fine particle size and large specific surface area, which enhances its reactivity and utility in cement production.

The company noted that the Jiangsu lithium refinery – on which design of its Bécancour refinery is planned on – successfully sold this product to local cement industries.

“This is great news for Lithium Universe as we partner with Lafarge Canada Inc. to enhance the North American battery materials supply chain and promote sustainable innovation in Canada's cement industry,” chairman Iggy Tan said.

“This collaboration will not only advance our focus on building Bécancour lithium refinery's secondary product supply chain but also strengthening local supply chains, fostering a more circular economy in Québec, and contributing to greener construction materials.”

LU7 had in early December 2024 signed a MoU with chemical logistics company Servitank to leverage its expertise in supply chain management and multimodal logistics to support development of Bécancour.

This included an investigation into the effective use of alumina silicate by-products.

ASCR benefits

Alumina silicate can improve cement strength and durability by absorbing calcium hydroxide produced during hydration, by filling gaps, and reducing heat generation.

It also helps to resist cracking in large-volume concrete by mitigating temperature-induced stress.

Its effectiveness is well-established with cement containing 30% alumina silicate showing a 132% increase in 28-day compressive strength compared to Portland cement.

Additionally, using the fly ash activity determination method, cement with 30% alumina silicate demonstrates a 174% increase in three-month compressive strength compared to cement with 30% finely ground quartz sand.

By replacing some cement raw materials, alumina silicate can also reduce production costs, improve efficiency, and enhance cement quality and durability.

LU7 will focus on establishing sales of the alumina silicate additive to local cement manufacturers.

This will enable it to tap into the robust cement and concrete product market in Canada, which generated revenue of ~$12.3bn in 2021, up 14.4% from $10.8bn in 2020.

This article was developed in collaboration with Lithium Universe, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Lithium Universe signs deal to supply Lafarge with alumina silicate byproduct as cement additive