First Graphene Limited advised it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Fosroc International Limited (Fosroc) for the development of PureGRAPH® graphene-enhanced cement additives, or grinding aids. The agreement is a key step in First Graphene's strategy to help the cement and concrete industries, which are responsible for up to 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, to achieve 25% emissions reduction by 2030. As part of its commitment to reducing emissions, the global cement segment is exploring methods to produce cements with lower clinker factor to produce greener cements.

Under current production methods, for every tonne of clinker produced, between 0.8 and 0.9 tonnes of CO2 is emitted. By adding low dosages of PureGRAPH®-enhanced cement additives to the final grinding phase of cement production, up to 20% lower clinker factor cement production is made possible while maintaining or improving cement performance. The PureGRAPH®-enhanced cement additives will assist cement manufacturers to gain superior strength and improved physical properties, while improving grinding efficiency in the grinding phase of cement production.

The purpose of the five-year collaboration agreement is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge through research and development work. Each party will contribute scientific and industry knowledge at its own cost, with First Graphene providing access to its PureGRAPH® product range, formulation and dispersion process technologies, while Fosroc will take responsibility for additive raw material supplies and formulations, mixing and dispersion, and extensive laboratory trials. There are no other material terms of the agreement or an assessment of economic impact at this stage.

Ultimately, the objective of the collaboration is to jointly develop a range of PureGRAPH®- enhanced cement additives that Fosroc will add to its portfolio of specialty products. These would provide the cement industry with a global solution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.