- Rock Tech will sell by-products from its Guben Lithium
production to Schwenk for use in cement manufacturing. This will
generate additional annual profits, save up to EUR 8 million annually in operational costs, and
increase the project's Net Present Value (NPV).
- These by-products will replace traditional cement additives,
significantly reducing CO₂ emissions in cement production and
enhancing supply chain resilience.
- Schwenk plans to invest in its facilities to process up to
200,000 tonnes of by-products annually by 2029, establishing a
long-term partnership with Rock Tech.
TORONTO, Jan. 30,
2025 /CNW/ - Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK)
(OTCQX: RCKTF) (FWB: RJIB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with SCHWENK Zement GmbH & Co. KG (Schwenk), a leading
German cement manufacturer, to use Lithium production by-products
from Rock Tech's Guben Converter for use in Schwenk's cement
manufacturing. This innovative partnership promises significant
environmental and economic benefits by reducing carbon emissions
and creating a new revenue stream. It is therefore fully in line
with the German government's National Circular Economy Strategy,
which was adopted in December. One of the strategy's objectives is
to increase the use of industrial by-products in cement
production.
"This partnership is a testament to our commitment to
sustainability and formation of a circular economy." said
Kerstin Wedemann, Chief Operations
and Legal Office at Rock Tech. "By transforming waste into value,
we enhance our profitability and support the cement industry's
decarbonization efforts."
"Ensuring the future supply of sufficient quantities of
high-quality cement grinding materials is of great strategic
importance for Schwenk. The LSC (Leached Spodumene Concentrate)
produced during the operation of the planned Converter in Guben
represents an interesting and regionally available source of
secondary raw materials." says Johann
Trenkwalder, Member of the Management Board SCHWENK
Germany
Environmental and Economic Benefits
The primary objective of the partnership is to develop
industrial applications for residues generated from Rock Tech's
Lithium-Hydroxide production, specifically leach residues. During
initial studies conducted by the Institute of Technologies and
Economics of Lithium (ITEL), the leach residues demonstrated
potential as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM) for use in
cement manufacturing, offering the following benefits:
- New Revenue Stream and Improved Economics: Rock Tech will sell
its by-products to Schwenk, thereby creating an additional income
stream. The parties have agreed on key commercial terms, including
offtake pricing for the product.
- Lower Carbon Emissions: Using the leach residues as SCMs in
cement production significantly reduces CO₂ emissions for Schwenk
and reduces dependency on other SCMs from coal-based-energy
production, which will be less widely available in the future.
- Cost Savings: Avoiding leach residue transportation and
disposal lowers Rock Tech's annual operational expenditures by c.
7% and reduces the Guben Converter environmental impact.
Upon the successful ramp-up of Rock Techs' Guben Converter,
Schwenk plans to invest into state-of-the-art facilities for
drying, grinding, and storing leach residues from Lithium
production. By 2029, Schwenk aims to use up to 200,000 tonnes of
by-products annually, helping Rock Tech achieve its zero-waste
goals.
A Sustainable Partnership
The agreement outlines that Schwenk eventually intends to
offtake leach residues from Rock Tech's Guben Converter. During the
initial ramp-up phase, flexibility is prioritized, including the
option of temporarily utilizing residues in the high-temperature
cement processes, if required. To facilitate the widespread
adoption of this innovation, both parties will jointly pursue
critical certifications, including REACH compliance and approvals
from the German Institute for Construction Technology (DIBt). The
certification process is expected to take up to 1.5 years. As part
of the agreement, both parties agree to exclusive cooperation for
the duration of the agreement.
ABOUT ROCK TECH
Rock Tech's vision is to supply the electric vehicle and battery
industry with sustainable, locally produced Lithium, targeting a
100% recycling rate. To ensure resilient supply chains, the company
plans to build Lithium converters at the doorstep of its customers,
beginning with the Company's proposed Lithium-Hydroxide Converter
in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany.
The second Converter is planned to be built in Red Rock, Ontario, Canada. Rock Tech Lithium
plans to source raw material from its own Georgia Lake spodumene project in the Thunder
Bay Mining District of Ontario,
Canada, and procure from other ESG-compliant mines.
Ultimately, Rock Tech's goal is to create a closed-loop Lithium
production system. Rock Tech has gathered one of the strongest
teams in the industry to close the most pressing gap in the clean
mobility story. The Company has adopted strict environmental,
social and governance standards and is developing a proprietary
refining process to increase efficiency and sustainability
further.
ABOUT SCHWENK ZEMENT
Schwenk Zement is one of Germany's leading cement manufacturers and a
pioneering force in the construction materials industry.
Established in 1847, SCHWENK is among the oldest family-owned
companies in the German construction sector. The company operates
internationally, offering expertise across cement, concrete, sand,
gravel, and pumping technologies. With a steadfast commitment to
sustainable practices, SCHWENK invests significantly in
cutting-edge research and green technologies to reduce its
operations' environmental footprint. Its forward-looking approach
ensures resource efficiency and innovation, making it a key player
in driving sustainability within the global construction industry.
Contact: Laura Schleicher:
laura.schleicher@schwenk.com
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES
PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE
EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF
THIS RELEASE.
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute
"forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws and
are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address
events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects
to occur are forward-looking statements. When used in this news
release, words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans",
"predicts", "believes", "estimates", "intends", "targets",
"projects", "forecasts", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could"
or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular,
this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining
to expectations concerning the Guben Converter, including the
design and features of the Guben Converter, as well as the expected
costs, capital expenditures, timing and outcomes thereof;
statements regarding the Company's future plans, estimates, and
schedules relating to the Guben Converter, including the
anticipated timing of future activities taken in support of the
development thereof; Rock Tech's potential financing arrangements;
the expected economic performance of the Guben Converter and
anticipated production of battery-grade Lithium Hydroxide and
related processing methods employed; the estimated capital and
operating costs of the Guben Converter; the anticipated timing and
outcomes of a final investment decision, construction activities
and commissioning of the Guben Converter; statements regarding the
Company's sustainability and ESG related goals and strategy,
including the benefits and achievement thereof and future actions
taken by the Company in relation thereto; expected regulatory
processes and final outcomes; expectations regarding the electric
vehicle industry, including the demand for and pricing of
battery-grade Lithium Hydroxide and the benefits therefrom, and the
development of political and regulatory frameworks especially in
Germany and the European Union;
Rock Tech's opinions, beliefs and expectations regarding the
Company's business strategy, development and exploration
opportunities and projects; and plans and objectives of management
for the Company's operations and properties. Forward-looking
statements by their nature are based on assumptions and involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may
cause the actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and
other factors discussed in the Company's most recent management's
discussion and analysis and annual information form filed with the
applicable securities regulators. No assurances can be given that
any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements
will transpire or occur, and the Company cautions the reader not to
place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The
Company does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation to
update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events
or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.
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SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc.
