Progressive Planet Solutions Inc (TSX-V:PLAN) has confirmed the successful delivery of 500 grams of converted silica by PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX:PYR, OTCQX:PYRGF) in early February 2024 as part of their cement innovation partnership.
With over 90% conversion achieved, Progressive Planet plans to assess the powder's reactivity as a supplementary cementing material (SCM) by producing mortar cubes during the week of March 4, the company said in a statement.
Complete information regarding compressive strength and water demand will be made available following the completion of the 28-day compressive tests. Progressive Planet expects to release these results during the second week of April 2024.
CEO Steve Harpur expressed appreciation for Pyrogenesis' efforts, highlighting the material's potential to compensate for the declining supply of fly ash from coal-fired power plants.
"While this material still needs to prove its merit through compressive strength testing in cement mortars, I wish to acknowledge the effort made by the technical team at Pyrogenesis over the last two years to overcome hurdle after hurdle to reach the conversion rate of over 90%," said Harpur.
Meanwhile, the company commented on the impending shift in energy production methods at coal-fired power plants, such as Genesee 1 and 2 in Alberta and a significant facility in Washington State, which are set to significantly impact the supply of fly ash, a crucial component in the cement industry.
With these plants transitioning to natural gas, over a million tonnes of fly ash annually will no longer be available to the Pacific Northwest by mid-2025.
In response, Progressive Planet said it is intensifying efforts to commercialize alternative materials like natural pozzolans and PozGlass 100G, a ground glass pozzolan boasting enhanced strength properties.
Finally, Progressive Planet gave an update on its regenerative fertilizers initiatives, revealing the outcomes of two key product launches.
Following the distribution of Carbon PK to farmers across 600 acres and subsequent grow trials showcasing its efficacy, recent consultations with partners concluded insufficient demand to warrant further investment in the product's development. Consequently, Carbon PK will not undergo further production.
Conversely, the company's launch of a new soil conditioner, Carbon Ca, saw the production of 61 tonnes, with half already sold in the Prairies. This product, applied as a source of calcium and carbon during the fall of 2023, awaits feedback from farmers and partners regarding its effectiveness, with the remaining inventory slated for application in the upcoming spring season.