Calix and RHI Magnesita to cut CO2 emissions in refractory materials

Industrial technology company Calix has signed another deal to implement its calcination process to reduce in-process carbon dioxide emissions – this time in the production of refractory materials.

Calix will work with a global leader in refractories, Vienna-based RHI Magnesita NV to utilise a Calix Flash Calciner in producing refractories, allowing the separation of CO2 for utilisation or storage.

Calix has been gaining traction in global cement and lime industries for its potential to replace traditional industrial processes which are responsible for a major share of global industrial pollution.

Its process combines electrical calcination with CO2 off-gas capture and has been in-use at Calix’s Bacchus Marsh facility since 2013, where it processes magnesite to produce water treatment products.

Pilot scale test work producing refractories from magnesite were conducted in 2020, with larger scale test work currently underway.

RHI Magnesita has 28 major production sites globally making refractories for high-temperature industrial processes such as steel, cement, lime, non-ferrous metals, glass and chemical industries.

Under a memorandum of understanding the two companies will undertake studies up to and including basic front end engineering and design for a commercial-scale demonstration facility at an RHI Magnesita site.

RHI Magnesita CTO Luis Bittencourt said the venture was a key part of its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions over the next five years.

“Together with our partners Calix, we are seeking to develop new technologies for the capture, storage and utilisation pf CO2 that would otherwise be emitted during the refractory production process.”

Calix managing director Phil Hodgson said the company continued to look for further opportunities in its high reactivity magnesium oxide business.

Calix technology is being utilised in a number of international pilot and commercial-scale demonstration projects, including the EU-funded Low Emissions Intensity Lime And Cement (LEILAC) demonstration plant being built in Germany.

Picture: RHI Magnesita NV

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