HySSIL Pty Ltd. in Melbourne, Australia, has launched a range of lightweight building products, touting reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower embodied energy when factoring their production against conventional alternatives. The technology was developed by the government-owned CSIRO, Australia’s leading industrial research organization and a founding HySSIL shareholder.
The company aims to accelerate commercialization of its cellular precast panels and roof tiles. In addition to reduced greenhouse gas emissions tied to production—up to 70 percent below those of conventional building panels and tiles, HySSIL officials contend—the fly ash-based geopolymer components offer: eligibility for carbon credits in developed and developing countries; lighter-weight and higher-strength properties over conventional panels and tiles; superior fire and chemical resistance; thermal performance; and, fabrication feasibility on conventional equipment.
HySSIL Chief Executive Officer Gary Bertuch says the introduction of the Australian carbon pricing scheme would accelerate the need for the country’s building materials companies to reduce their products’ embodied energy ratings. “Bricks and cement-based products in particular will come under pressure,” he adds. “HySSIL and the CSIRO are at the forefront of sustainable building products for global markets using geopolymer technology, which substitutes fly ash for ordinary portland cement.”
HySSIL is seeking production licensees and potential equity partners. “Our target markets are Australia, U.S., Europe, China, Southeast Asia and the Middle East,” notes Bertuch. “Ideally, we want to attract development partners that will contribute capital and can provide access to large-scale manufacturing facilities.”