Terra Cement Inc has signed joint venture agreement with Ore Mines International Pty Ltd in South Australia (OMI) to form a new company, under the name of Terra Cement Australia Pty Ltd (TCA). TCA will engage in the marketing of Terra’s proprietary process (patent pending) for producing sustainable cement using ash in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The joint venture will begin operating by the end of the year.

TCA will convert existing cement plants and mixing facilities to produce hydrogel made from fly ash in Australia. When organic proprietary liquids are added, sustainable cement is produced, Terra Cement said in a statement. No thermal energy is used and no carbon dioxide emissions are produced during the manufacturing process.

OMI has conducted preliminary testing of ash available in Australia and determined it to be suitable for production of sustainable cement. OMI ordered the design for the conversion process for its existing facilities and will complete the process in the near future.