Green360 Technologies Ltd has reached a key step in its low-carbon cement development strategy, successfully producing high-quality metakaolin from its own kaolin resources and starting commercial-scale concrete trials.
The company reported that internal laboratory testing has confirmed the metakaolin exceeds industry quality benchmarks, with an amorphous content greater than 88%. This high level of reactivity makes it suitable as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in low-carbon cement formulations and high-performance concrete products.
Metakaolin is gaining traction as a partial substitute for traditional Portland cement, offering strength and durability improvements while lowering production emissions.
Commercial testing under way
Following successful internal trials, Green360 has moved into the next phase of development – testing its metakaolin-based cement formulations in commercial-scale concrete applications. The work is proceeding in collaboration with its joint venture partner PERMAcast, a leading pre-cast concrete manufacturer.
The formulations have been developed with support from Murdoch University, incorporating kaolin from Green360’s deposits and optimized for performance in accordance with Australian Standards (AS 1012).
PERMAcast has commenced trial batching using these formulations, with early and long-term performance metrics under assessment. Key parameters include workability, slump retention, temperature sensitivity and setting times.
The trials will also evaluate compatibility with admixtures and superplasticisers, with concrete specimens tested at multiple intervals up to 90 days.
Quality and consistency
Compared with traditional SCMs like fly ash and slag, which can vary in composition, Green360’s kaolin-derived metakaolin offers greater consistency and purity. The company says this enhances the durability and microstructure of the concrete, making it well suited for structural applications.
Green360 executive chairman Aaron Banks said the results represent an important step towards the company’s commercialization objectives.
“The successful production of metakaolin from our resources and deposits is a significant milestone for the company,” he said. “This achievement allows us to rapidly pursue testing and optimization of low-carbon cement formulations utilising our own metakaolin and industrial byproducts, to ultimately deliver low-cost, low-carbon alternatives to traditional Portland cement.”
Green360 is targeting near-term market entry with its cement products, addressing rising demand for more sustainable construction materials. It said further updates are expected as performance data from the PERMAcast trials becomes available.