Betolar and JA-KO Betoni part of developing the utilisation of Keliber's side streams

Betolar Plc      

Investor News

2.12.2022 2:30 PM EET

Betolar and JA-KO Betoni part of developing the utilisation of Keliber's side streams

Betolar Plc and concrete manufacturer JA-KO Betoni Oy are part of developing the utilisation of Keliber's side streams. The cooperation aims to develop solutions for utilizing tailings and analcime sand in concrete production.

Betolar, Keliber and JA-KO Betoni announced a cooperation agreement in September 2021, which aims to use Betolar's innovations to help Keliber utilise the side streams that are generated in production. Tailings and analcime sand could be used as concrete aggregate at JA-KO Betoni's Kokkola plant. This low-carbon concrete could be used, for example, in the structures of Keliber’s mine.

"The project supports a strong circular economy and ecosystem approach. Betolar is making a significant contribution to the green transition by creating circular economy solutions for the mining industry," says Riku Kytömäki, President and CEO of Betolar.

This week, mining and battery chemical company, Keliber, published a press release on the start of construction of the lithium project. The long-planned, over half a billion euro project will enter the construction phase and preparatory work will start as early as December. The plant which will be built in the Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP) will produce lithium hydroxide, which is used, among other things, in batteries for electric vehicles. The current timetable will allow the chemical plant to ramp up production in 2025.

At full production, the plant will produce around 600 000 tonnes of tailings per year. Around 200 000 tonnes per year of analcime sand is also generated as a by-product of the lithium production process.

“If the side streams cannot be recycled, they are deposited in designated areas. The tailings would be sufficient to use as aggregate for concrete, for example,” says Kytömäki.

The lithium project aims to make Keliber the first lithium hydroxide producer in Europe based on its own ore, which is still possible with the current schedule. It is a unique project to ensure the supply of lithium, essential for the green transition, and Europe’s self-sufficiency in critical raw materials.

Betolar’s goal from the beginning has been to replace sand and cement used in concrete with industrial waste and side streams, while significantly reducing emissions and conserving virgin resources.

“Replacing cement alone reduces carbon dioxide emissions from raw materials by up to 80%. When, in addition to cement, part of the virgin sand used as aggregate could be replaced by side streams, even greater strides can be made in the green transition and circular economy,” says Juha Leppänen, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Betolar.

Betolar Plc

Communications

For more information

Melina Pinomaa, Investor Relations, Betolar Plc, melina.pinomaa@betolar.com, tel: +358 40 196 16 78

About Betolar

Betolar Oyj is a Finnish materials technology company offering sustainable and low-carbon concrete production with the Geoprime® solution. The solution converts several previously unused, massive industrial side streams into cement substitutes.

The innovation, which uses Betolar's artificial intelligence, can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional cement-based concrete production by optimising existing manufacturing processes. Betolar's mission is to help reduce CO2 emissions and the use of virgin resources in construction.

Founded in 2016, Betolar is listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland and is headquartered in Kannonkoski. For more information, visit www.betolar.com

About Keliber

Keliber is a mining and battery chemicals company that aims to responsibly produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide from its own ore reserves in 2025, for use in lithium-ion batteries that enable electrification of transport, storage of renewable energy and accelerating digitalisation.

Keliber operates in Central Ostrobothnia, where its lithium deposits are among the most significant in Europe. Mining operations are located in the Kaustinen, Kokkola and Kruunupyy areas, where a concentrator will also be built. The chemical plant will be located in the Kokkola industrial area. The construction phase of the lithium project is scheduled to start in 2023. www.keliber.fi

About JA-KO Concrete

JA-KO Betoni Oy is a Kokkola-based concrete professional with over 50 years of experience in the industry. The company offers its customers a wide range of concrete products and ready-mixed concrete, as well as various tailor-made service concepts in Finland and for export projects.

JA-KO Betoni has ready-mixed concrete plants in Kokkola, Pietarsaari, Närpiö, Mustasaari and Seinäjoki. JA-KO Betoni is an independent subsidiary of Ruskon Betoni. www.jakobetoni.fi