RHI Magnesita, the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions, is pleased to announce it has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Australian technology company Calix Limited. The MOU covers the development of a Calix Flash Calciner for use in the production of refractory materials, which will enable CO2 separation for either utilisation or storage.
Under the terms of the MOU, Calix and RHI Magnesita have agreed to undertake studies up to and including basic Front-End Engineering and Design for a commercial-scale demonstration facility at an RHI Magnesita site.
RHI Magnesita and Calix commenced first discussions around the potential for reducing the CO2 footprint of the refractory production process in early 2019. Calix has been processing magnesite, the main raw material in the production of refractories, since 2013 in its Bacchus Marsh facility for water treatment products. The application of Calix’s technology to refractory products has been the subject of pilot scale test work during 2020, with larger scale test work currently underway.
Separation and storage or reuse of CO2 released from carbonate minerals is a crucial step in decarbonising the refractory industry and thus the production processes of materials such as steel, cement and lime.
Luis Bittencourt, Chief Technology Officer, RHI Magnesita, said “We are pleased to be working with Calix on this project, which is a key part of the research and development programme on CO2 emissions reduction that we are carrying out over the next five years. Together with our partners at Calix, we are seeking to develop new technologies for the capture, storage and utilisation of CO2 that would otherwise be emitted during the refractory production process.”
Phil Hodgson, Managing Director of Calix, said “We are delighted to be working with RHI Magnesita, the world’s leading refractory company, on this important opportunity to help decarbonise the refractory industry, as well as looking at strategic opportunities in our high reactivity magnesium oxide businesses.”
About RHI Magnesita
RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. Our purpose is to master heat, enabling global industries to build sustainable modern life. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with around 12,000 employees in 28 main production sites and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to build on its leadership in revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to expand further in high growth markets.
The Group maintains a premium listing on the Official list of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com