Zeotech Advances Low-Carbon Concrete with Holcim Deal and Methane Tech Breakthroughs
Zeotech Limited has secured a strategic MOU with Holcim Australia to advance its AusPozz™ low-carbon concrete product, alongside promising methane reduction results and a newly granted Japanese patent.
- MOU signed with Holcim Australia for AusPozz™ concrete trials
- Approximately 2 tonnes of AusPozz™ produced in trial runs
- $1.82 million raised via placement to fund growth initiatives
- Methane control program shows 70-85% emission reduction efficiency
- Japanese patent granted for impurity-free zeolite synthesis technology
Strategic Partnership with Holcim Australia
Zeotech Limited (ASX: ZEO) has marked a significant milestone this quarter by executing a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Holcim Australia, a leading supplier of building materials in the region. This agreement sets the stage for collaboration on the production and commercial validation of Zeotech's high-reactivity metakaolin product, AusPozz™, aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of concrete.
The MOU outlines joint efforts to conduct pilot trials using AusPozz™ as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to partially replace traditional cement. Holcim will receive 400 kilograms of AusPozz™ for these low-carbon concrete trials, while Zeotech has also distributed 300 kilograms to other potential customers, signaling growing market interest.
Production and Commercial Development
During the quarter, Zeotech completed production trial runs yielding approximately 2 tonnes of AusPozz™, sourced from its Toondoon kaolin project. These runs support ongoing marketing and product validation efforts. The company is advancing a Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) for commercial-scale AusPozz™ production, supported by $145,000 in matched funding from the Queensland Government’s METS Collaborative Project Fund.
To lead the commercialisation push, Zeotech appointed Tim Anderson as Chief Commercial Officer. Anderson brings extensive experience in industrial minerals and technology sectors, positioning the company to navigate feasibility and market entry challenges effectively.
Innovations in Methane Emission Reduction
Zeotech's methane control program, conducted in partnership with Griffith University and Cleanaway, delivered encouraging early-stage results. The company's zeoteCH4® products demonstrated an average methane reduction efficiency between 70% and 85% in simulated landfill trials. Product A, in particular, showed superior performance, attributed to its high surface area, porosity, and ability to maintain favorable soil conditions for methane-oxidizing microbes.
These findings underscore Zeotech’s potential to contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation beyond the construction sector. The company has extended the monitoring phase to gather more comprehensive data before progressing to on-site landfill trials.
Intellectual Property and Market Expansion
Adding to its technological arsenal, Zeotech secured a Japanese patent for its proprietary impurity-free synthetic zeolite production technology. This patent enhances the company’s commercial prospects in Japan, which accounts for roughly 7% of the global zeolite market. Zeotech is actively pursuing patent protections in other key markets, including Australia, Canada, India, South Korea, and the USA.
Alongside domestic efforts, Zeotech is exploring international opportunities, having dispatched AusPozz™ samples to Europe and the USA for testing in geopolymer concrete applications. Engagements with industry bodies such as the Australian Pozzolan Association and the Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance further bolster its market positioning.
Financial Position and Outlook
Zeotech strengthened its balance sheet by raising $1.82 million through a placement heavily supported by existing shareholders. Additionally, the company received a $0.90 million R&D tax incentive payment, which was partly used to repay a secured R&D loan. As of December 31, 2024, Zeotech held $2.5 million in cash, providing a solid runway for its strategic initiatives.
CEO James Marsh expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, highlighting the Holcim partnership as a foundational opportunity and signalling an ambitious agenda for 2025. With production scale-up underway and pilot plant equipment procurement in progress, Zeotech is poised to accelerate its commercialisation efforts.
Bottom Line?
Zeotech’s strategic collaborations and technological advances position it well to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable construction materials and methane mitigation solutions.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the MOU with Holcim Australia translate into a formal offtake or joint venture agreement?
- What are the timelines and expected scale for commercial AusPozz™ production following the PFS completion?
- How will seasonal and environmental variables impact the long-term efficacy of Zeotech’s methane control technology in real-world landfill settings?
