Lithium Universe signs aluminosilicate supply deal with Lafarge
Lithium Universe has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Lafarge Canada, a cement producer, for the exclusive supply of Aluminosilicate Secondary Product (ASCR) from its Bécancour Lithium Carbonate Refinery in Quebec, Canada.
The refinery is designed to produce up to 18,270 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate, utilising a 'globally benchmarked' technology from the Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant.
It will produce approximately 130,000tpa of ASCR by-product, which will be marketed to the cement industry as an additive.
The ASCR product, rich in silica, aluminium oxide and ferric oxide, is known for improving the 'compressive strength' of cement and reducing costs.
Lafarge will collaborate with Lithium Universe to finalise a definitive supply and purchase agreement.
The positive pre-feasibility study of the Bécancour Refinery underlines its economic viability, even in a low pricing environment, and positions the company to capitalise on the growing demand for lithium.
Lithium Universe chairman Iggy Tan said: "This is great news for Lithium Universe as we partner with Lafarge Canada to enhance the North American battery materials supply chain and promote sustainable innovation in Canada's cement industry.
'This collaboration will not only advance our focus on building Bécancour Lithium refinery's secondary product supply chain but also strengthening local supply chains, fostering a more circular economy in Québec, and contributing to greener construction materials.'
The Bécancour Lithium Carbonate Refinery is part of Lithium Universe's mission to address the "lithium conversion gap" in North America.
The company aims to support the supply chain for original equipment manufacturers, particularly in the automotive sector, by converting spodumene supply into lithium chemicals for electric vehicle battery plants.
With more than 20 major manufacturers planning to deploy an estimated 1,000GW of battery capacity by 2028, the demand for lithium is expected to soar to around 850,000tpa of lithium carbonate equivalent, according to the company.
This strategic move by Lithium Universe also supports national security goals by reducing reliance on foreign lithium converters.
"Lithium Universe signs aluminosilicate supply deal with Lafarge" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Best Cities To Live in Right Now
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Denmark, Australia and Switzerland are home to some of the world's best cities to live in, a new study has shown. Copenhagen has been named the world's most livable city in 2025, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index, displacing Vienna in Austria, which came second after a three-year run at the top. The Danish capital achieved perfect scores of 100 in stability, education, and infrastructure, pushing it from second place to first in a global assessment of 173 cities. The EIU's annual index evaluates cities across 30 indicators grouped into five categories, which include stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. While the average global score remained unchanged from 2024 at 76.1 out of 100, the report noted a persistent decline in global stability, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and civil unrest. "Copenhagen's rise to the top underscores the power of consistent investment in public goods," said Matt Watkins, a public affairs strategist and policy analyst, told Newsweek. He consults cities across the United States and a few other nations on urban development, economic mobility and quality-of-life strategies. Melbourne in Australia placed fourth, continuing its strong performance in the rankings, with two other Australian cities—Sydney and Adelaide—also among the top 10. Other cities filling out the top 10 slots included Auckland in New Zealand, Osaka in Japan, and Vancouver in Canada. Watkins noted: "Livability is a choice. These outcomes do not emerge by chance. They happen when governments commit to universal baselines that ensure quality of life—things like clean public transit in Zurich, affordable child care in Copenhagen, strong public education in Melbourne, and access to green space in Auckland." North American cities overall remained in the highest tier of livability, with all 21 assessed scoring above 80. Two Canadian cities, Calgary and Toronto, also experienced drops. "We have lowered the health care scores for all four Canadian cities in our index," the EIU report noted. All three cities in the United Kingdom in the index—London, Manchester, and Edinburgh—saw their placements fall in the wider ranking due to widespread riots and rising homelessness. Stock image: Houses line the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen, the Danish capital. Stock image: Houses line the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen, the Danish capital. Getty "Walkability is a common thread among the world's most livable cities," Watkins said. "When people can safely and easily walk to schools, grocery stores, parks, and transit, everything else becomes more connected—public health improves; small businesses thrive; emissions drop; and community life flourishes." The EIU highlighted that, while stability declined globally, other aspects of urban life have improved. "Scores for health care, education and infrastructure all saw marginal improvements on average," the report said. Cities in the Middle East and North Africa region showed the most-notable gains, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, due to significant advancements in health care and education. Watkins emphasized that high-quality infrastructure alone isn't what makes a city truly livable. "What makes a city truly livable is not just infrastructure, but connection," he said. He added: "The most-livable cities foster a sense of belonging—through public spaces that invite gathering; services that reduce isolation; and policies that help people put down roots. Whether it is Vienna's cultural investment or Vancouver's focus on inclusivity, these cities recognize that social cohesion is as important to well-being as hospitals and transit lines." Watkins added that the world's most-livable cities succeed because they treat livability as a public mandate. He said: "These places remind us that good governance is not just about efficiency; it is about creating conditions where people can move freely, connect easily, and live with dignity." Top 10 Most Liveable Cities 1. Copenhagen, Denmark 2. Vienna, Austria 3. Zurich, Switzerland 4. Melbourne, Australia 5. Geneva, Switzerland 6. Sydney, Australia 7. Osaka, Japan 8. Auckland, New Zealand 9. Adelaide, Australia 10. Vancouver, Canada Source: A ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) based on an assessment of 30 indicators grouped into five categories, including stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
USA Today
16 hours ago
- USA Today
Former PGA, LPGA caddie worried about rising Scottish golf prices: 'There's a real risk'
Former PGA Tour and LPGA caddie Roy Clarke worked on the bag for some influential golf stars, including Jessica Korda. Now, Clarke serves as manager of international operations at All Access. He says the business is keen to grow further by offering its North American customers a "true taste" of Scotland, but there is a risk the industry here is pricing itself out of reach. Here's an interview done with Clarke by business correspondent Kristy Dorsey for Newsquest, which is part of the USA Today/Gannett family. So how did a golf tourism company come to evolve out of an events business? Roy Clarke: It all started when Ryan took a personal golf trip to Scotland and fell in love with the links experience. He was inspired to bring that same joy to his network back in New York and along the East Coast. What began with just 20 tours per year quickly grew to over 100 annually, despite the interruption of the pandemic. It's a pure love. Because we were already organizing premier experiences to events like The Masters, Phoenix Open, Waste Management, the Players Championship, Kentucky Derby, and the Indy 500, there was a natural opportunity to cross-sell these to our golf clientele. The response was tremendous, and demand has kept growing ever since. In fact, we're constantly hiring to keep pace. Where are your clients from? RC: Our customers are all inbound tourists from the U.S., particularly the East Coast, but we're seeing growing interest from Canada, the West Coast, and now further south like Texas and Alabama. And what are they after? RC: While bucket list courses like St Andrews, Turnberry, North Berwick and Royal Dornoch are always in demand, we've built our brand around delivering more than just the classic stops. We focus on full-service, high-end experiences with attention to personal touches, whether it's custom transport, premium accommodation, or access to under-the-radar gems. What new trends have you noticed emerging? RC: The big-name courses will always have their place — who doesn't want to tick off the Old Course or Muirfield? But increasingly we're seeing golfers keen to explore more authentic and less crowded destinations. Places like Brora, Elie, Nairn and Crail have become client favorites. There's a real appetite for courses that deliver that traditional links feel without the crowds or sky-high green fees. Experiences like Kingarrock Hickory Golf, where clients play with hickory-shafted clubs, have also been a hit. So how do you respond to that? RC: We're continually refining our offerings. This season, we've added accommodations like Seaton House and No.1 Apartments in St Andrews. We're also including newer courses such as Dumbarnie, Dundonald and Old Petty near Castle Stuart in our itineraries. And beyond the classics, we're showcasing lesser-known gems that offer incredible golf and a true taste of Scotland. What led you into this line of work? RC: I spent over a decade caddying on the LPGA and PGA Tours. In 2017, while saving for my wedding, I started driving golf tours around Ireland during my off weeks. That's when I met Ryan on one of those trips and we hit it off immediately. We stayed in touch, and as he expanded into Ireland, the timing was perfect. I had three kids under the age of four and was looking for something that kept me closer to home, yet still connected to golf. Our vision going forward is simple: continue to deliver unforgettable experiences, build strong relationships with our clients, and form meaningful partnerships in the golf industry. We have a young, dynamic team balanced by experienced leadership — it's a formula that's working and one we're excited to grow. What has been the impact of the announcement that The Open will return to St. Andrews in 2027? RC: Demand is exceptionally high as always in Scotland, the home of golf. We see a spike in interest every time a venue is featured in The Open rota, and the upcoming return to St Andrews is no different. We're already running pre- and post-Open itineraries in the Highlands and Ayrshire to meet the surge in demand. That said, rising prices are a concern. Costs for hotels, courses, and transport have jumped more than 10% in a single year. If the trend continues, there's a real risk that Scotland might price itself out of reach for many travellers, especially with Ireland charging less which is becoming increasingly attractive alternative. But the excitement around The Open is always a huge boost. It energizes the industry and has a ripple effect for two to three years after each event. We're preparing for that wave with bespoke Open packages that make the most of Scotland's world-class golf and hospitality.
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
New York Giants the top 'wallet-friendly experience' in NFL, poll shows
Based on a recent poll, the New York Giants offer the most "wallet-friendly experience" for fans among the 32 franchises in the NFL. The folks at Hard Rock Bet analyzed the "Fan Cost Index" from 1991 to 2024 to identify the most generous owners and franchises across all four major North American sports leagues. The Giants topped the list as the most wallet-friendly NFL franchise. The NFL's New York Giants are owned by John Mara and Steve Tisch. These two owners have kept prices low, too, as the Fan Cost Index was $151.80 in 1991, $629.62 in 2015, and only $655.06 in 2024, which is only a 4% increase over nine years. The data found that the New York Giants are: These are surprisingly reasonable numbers for a franchise located in a big market. The late Wellington Mara considered fans as "customers" and was always conscious of providing them with the best possible bargain he could. His heirs have kept that tradition in place. For the record, the top-5 most wallet-friendly teams were the Miami Marlins (MLB), Vancouver Canucks (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Miami Heat (NBA), and Minnesota Twins (MLB).
