Travertine Technologies, a Boulder, Colo., startup that counts Amrize Ltd. and Holcim Ltd. among its investors, has confirmed the potential of converting mineralized carbon dioxide from direct air capture assemblies to a high-purity (≥ 92%), precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) with consistency and particle sizing (10-20µ, median) suiting cement blends or concrete mixes.
In a joint venture with Quebec-based Arianne Phosphate, Travertine Technologies has demonstrated the PCC process in conjunction with production of phosphoric acid, a common fertilizer and battery compound.
The PCC forms when mineralized CO2 commingles with waste gypsum feedstocks subjected to electrochemical treatment in a Travertine Technologies assembly. Primarily phosphogypsum, the feedstocks are generated in phosphoric acid production using a concentrate that Arianne sources from the Lac à Paul project in Quebec’s Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region — the world’s largest greenfield phosphate mine.
Arianne-Travertine JV officials underscore the circularity principles at play in the phosphoric acid and PCC processing. The latter material incorporates waste tied to the former, while also recycling sulfuric acid in a closed loop.
“This news regarding calcium carbonate is very exciting as it can generate additional revenue instead of a lower-end product,” said Arianne Head of Strategy & Business Brian Ostroff. “It positions our joint venture to be a vital supplier to many industries and maximizes benefits to our stakeholders and shareholders.”
