Inside Information: Betolar acquires MetalCirc’s patent regarding treatment of waste combustion ashes

Betolar Plc
Company release
21 Aug 2024 at 5:30 P.M. EEST

Inside Information: Betolar acquires MetalCirc’s patent regarding treatment of waste combustion ashes

Material technology company Betolar Plc has acquired a patent from MetalCirc Oy, which relates to a method for neutralizing waste combustion ashes and recycling the valuable materials contained in the ashes. The purchase price of the patent is 85 500 euros. The acquired patent can be integrated into several different commercial applications and solutions of Betolar. By acquiring the internationally valid patent, Betolar strengthens its position in the commercial negotiations related to the recycling of side streams and wastes and the separation of value fractions. The patent complements the technology developed by Betolar and reinforces the protection scope of its patents in the application stage.

The technology enables the utilization of waste combustion ashes and their usability in other Betolar solutions. Currently, waste combustion ashes are often delivered to landfills as hazardous waste, which causes high landfill fees, up to 150–300 euros per ton. With this technology, the cost of waste management can be significantly reduced. Thanks to the patent, Betolar's recycling capabilities improve, which supports the company's goals of promoting circular economy principles and developing an environmentally friendly technology portfolio.

It has been part of Betolar's vision from the beginning to fractionate and activate side streams, which enables the utilization of almost any side stream, the separation of hazardous materials, the recovery of value fractions and the modification of the material into a binder. This patent is another step towards this vision, and it strengthens Betolar's position as a pioneer of sustainable development in the material technology sector.

The founders of MetalCirc Oy, Emeritus Professor Jorma Jokiniemi and Professor Esko Kauppinen, have a long international experience in material and combustion technology research and practical applications. They will continue the work started by MetalCirc by consulting Betolar on material and combustion technology issues. MetalCirc has already tested the purification and recovery of valuable metals from waste incineration fly and bottom ash with the technology developed by the company at an industrial scale plant.

”We believe that our patented innovation is valuable to circular economy and the environment. We hope that the developed technology and the work continues in the professional hands of Betolar,” states Jorma Jokiniemi. “The recovery of valuable materials from industrial side streams currently categorized as waste will be a significant business in the near future”, says Esko Kauppinen.

“We are pleased to be at the forefront of fostering a more sustainable circular economy. This acquisition is an important advancement in our goal to maintain industry leadership in sustainable practices and continuous innovation”, says Tuija Kalpala, CEO and President of Betolar.

Key Highlights of the Acquisition:

1. Enhanced Recycling Capabilities: The integration of MetalCirc's high technology supports significantly Betolar's metal recovery offering and the possibility to purify waste streams from hazardous materials. Purified material enables the utilization or environmentally sustainable disposal of previously hazardous waste. The purchased patent can be connected to several different Betolar's commercial applications and solutions.
2. Sustainable Growth: This acquisition is in line with Betolar's long-term sustainability goals, advancing its mission to minimize environmental impact, maximize resource efficiency and reduce the use of virgin natural resources. 

Betolar Plc

Further enquiries:

Tuija Kalpala, President and CEO, Betolar Plc, tel. +358 50 567 6608, tuija.kalpala@betolar.com

Jorma Jokiniemi, Chairman of the Board, MetalCirc Oy, tel. +358 40 505 0668, jorma.jokiniemi@uef.fi

Certified Advisor:

Aktia Alexander Corporate Finance Oy, tel. +358 50 520 4098 

About Betolar Plc

Betolar Plc is a pioneering Finnish materials technology company driving the green transition in mining and construction. Betolar’s mission is to help reduce CO₂ emissions and the use of virgin natural resources.

Betolar develops low-carbon and waste-free solutions for the mining and metals industries, and its Geoprime® solution produces i.a. the world's lowest-emission hollow-core slabs. Betolar’s AI-powered Data Platform turns industrial side streams into value, accelerates solution development and builds global markets for side streams.

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

About MetalCirc

MetalCirc is a Finnish company that was founded in order to solve the problem of treating hazardous waste combustion ash. MetalCirc has developed technology that focuses on neutralizing waste ash and recycling the valuable materials contained in the ash. MetalCirc’s specialty is creating useful nanomaterials from the combustion ash.