EcoMag launched a range of high-purity magnesium products following UNSW validation of their novel, low carbon processing technique.
Challenge
EcoMag extracts high-purity magnesium from the waste material generated by sea salt production. The magnesium is then used to create a range of compounds for industrial, environmental, and specialty applications.
When EcoMag approached UNSW, the company was in the advanced stages of commercialising a new extraction process that produces less carbon dioxide. To progress to market, they needed data to prove this claim and demonstrate their end products retained the same level of purity.
Solution
Funding from the NSW Government TechVoucher scheme was used to conduct life cycle analysis and modelling to determine the CO2 equivalent emissions of EcoMag's process. The UNSW team also measured the concentration of magnesium in the resulting product.
"Universities are an important source of new technologies and knowledge. For this project, I needed UNSW’s expertise to help mould things into a format that was even more explosive."
Tony Crimmins, CEO, EcoMag
Impact
Armed with validation data from the TechVoucher project, EcoMag were able to launch their high-purity, low-carbon magnesium. Their process leaves half the carbon footprint of their competitors, and they now plan to reduce this even further, with the goal of achieving a carbon neutral product.
Environmental social governance is more important than ever, and the carbon footprint of a company can determine uptake of its product. The combination of superior properties with low environmental impact has led the building industry to express interest in EcoMag’s magnesium to use in prefabrication boards.
In addition, the company has embedded in the UNSW innovation ecosystem, employing UNSW students and academics, and exploring flow on projects.
Beyond the university, EcoMag has formed mutually beneficial relationships throughout UNSW’s network. What started with a small TechVoucher project has grown into more extensive research projects and business contacts.
“The university has significant networks, which allowed us to expand out and talk to other businesses. No ideas are developed in isolation, they’re done in collaboration.”