Zeotech (ASX:ZEO) looks to lithium industry to expand pilot program

• Zeotech (ZEO) is looking to expand its zeolite pilot program to include a lithium refinery clean-tech solution
• The company has committed to developing and constructing a dual-feed pilot plant that is capable of using kaolin and now leached spodumene residue as feed types to zeolite
• The mineral processing technology company told the market it is very interested in the opportunity to develop a commercial clean-tech solution for the lithium refinery industry
• According to the company, the growing demand for electric vehicles batteries is expanding lithium hydroxide production globally, resulting in material volumes of leached spodumene residue
• On the market this afternoon, Zeotech is down 2.67 per cent and is trading at 7.3 cents per share

Zeotech (ZEO) is looking to expand its zeolite pilot program to include a lithium refinery clean-tech solution.

The company has committed to developing and constructing a dual-feed pilot plant that is capable of using kaolin and now leached spodumene residue as feed types to produce commercial-grade synthetic zeolite.

Zeolites are minerals that contain mainly aluminium and silicon compounds. They are used as drying agents, in detergents, and in water and air purifiers. 

The dual-feed pilot plant research program is fully funded and will be supported by researchers from The University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering.

The mineral processing technology company told the market it is very interested in the opportunity to develop a commercial clean-tech solution for the lithium refinery industry.

According to the company, the growing demand for electric vehicles batteries is expanding lithium hydroxide production globally, resulting in material volumes of leached spodumene residue.

The process of converting spodumene concentrates to lithium hydroxide requires about seven tonnes of concentrate feed to produce one tonne of lithium hydroxide.

Zeotech’s aims to create a commercially viable solution to use lithium refinery residue streams and convert these tailings into high-value molecular sieve grade synthetic zeolites.

“A dual-feed pilot plant program will greatly enhance Zeotech’s commercial potential and accelerate nearer term licencing opportunities of its patent-pending technology, by directly targeting a unique value-add environment management solution for lithium refineries,” Managing Director Peter Zardo said.

“Our achievements to date would not have been possible without the dedicated contribution of our partners at The University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering and we look forward to keeping our shareholders updated on progress,” he added.

On the market this afternoon, Zeotech is down 2.67 per cent and is trading at 7.3 cents per share at 1:24 pm AEST.