Rock Tech Lithium and Schwenk Partner for Sustainable Cement Production

February 4, 2025

Rock Tech Lithium has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German cement manufacturer Schwenk Zement to utilize lithium production by-products from Rock Tech's Guben Converter in cement manufacturing. The partnership aims to reduce carbon emissions while creating a new revenue stream, aligning with Germany's National Circular Economy Strategy, which promotes the use of industrial by-products in cement production.

Kerstin Wedemann, Chief Operations and Legal Officer at Rock Tech, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability, stating that repurposing waste into valuable materials enhances profitability and supports the cement industry's decarbonization efforts. Schwenk’s Management Board Member Johann Trenkwalder highlighted the strategic importance of securing high-quality cement grinding materials and noted that the Leached Spodumene Concentrate (LSC) from Rock Tech’s Guben Converter represents a valuable regional raw material source.

Studies by the Institute of Technologies and Economics of Lithium (ITEL) have identified the leach residues from Rock Tech’s lithium-hydroxide production as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM), offering environmental and economic benefits, including:

  • New Revenue Stream: Rock Tech will sell its by-products to Schwenk, securing additional income.
  • Lower Carbon Emissions: Replacing traditional SCMs with lithium by-products reduces CO2 emissions and reliance on coal-based materials.
  • Cost Savings: Avoiding transportation and disposal costs lowers Rock Tech's operational expenditures by approximately 7% while reducing the environmental impact of the Guben Converter.

Schwenk plans to invest in facilities for drying, grinding, and storing lithium by-products, aiming to utilize up to 200,000 tonnes annually by 2029. Both companies will pursue critical certifications, including REACH compliance and approvals from the German Institute for Construction Technology (DIBt), a process expected to take up to 1.5 years. The agreement includes exclusive cooperation for the duration of the partnership.

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