A Technical Green Statement from ZAH Technologies, LLC
Product Sustainability & Design for the Environment
At present, environmental pollution issues, like CO2 emitting industrial activities are attracting widespread attention. While many companies are trying to address or mitigate the main issue in their own way, we should understand and consider that steel production is the most energy-consuming and CO2 emitting process in the world and continues on without challenge.
To illustrate, the steel creation process requires large inputs of coke (a type of coal) which is extremely damaging to the environment. The coke ovens emit air pollution such as naphthalene, which is highly toxic and can cause cancer. In addition, wastewater from the coking process is highly toxic and contains a number of carcinogenic organic compounds as well as cyanide, sulfides, ammonium and ammonia. Literally, 1.83 tons of CO2 is emitted for every single ton of steel produced, and it’s increasing on an annual basis. By the close of 2022, steel production will equal 1.7 billion+ metric tons, or 3.11 billion tons of CO2.
The world’s steel industry could eliminate its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through ramping up recycling, using hydrogen for fuel, and capturing carbon from older plants, according to a BloombergNEF study. But getting there will require the industry to spend $215 billion to $278 billion for capital investments, according to a report by Bloomberg’s energy data and analysis unit. Until steel companies choose to develop steel-making methods that emit fewer toxic emissions, this problem will prevail.
It’s out of this specific global demand, and to address the never-ending corrosion associated with steel reinforcement that birthed the concept for ZAH Technologies. ZAH is an applied basalt technology firm, providing turnkey manufacturing solutions and equipment to produce basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebar (trademarked as Z-Bar™) under license. BFRP rebar is a combination of sustainability and resiliency for the most efficient and cost-effective choice over a given product’s lifecycle. Z-Bar is engineered to be a higher performing, lighter weight, non-corrosive and green alternative to traditional steel reinforcement.
An effective comparison of steel vs Z-Bar™, is probably best represented in total emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) or CO2, from the mining of either product, to the smelting, refining and delivery of the finished product. Our data supports that the total production of steel generates 1.83 tons (1830 Kg’s) of CO2 emissions for every ton of steel produced. By contrast, the total production of basalt fiber reinforced rebar (BasaFlex) generates ~34 Kg’s of CO2 emissions. That’s less than 2.0% of steel’s energy related emissions by direct comparison. Regarding the transport related activities (or indirect emissions) are stipulated to be similar per truckload, however, due to Z-Bar’s lighter weight (only 25% of steel), there is an additional reduction of a 4 : 1 margin as Z-Bar requires only one (1) TL for every four (4) TL’s of steel for the same number of linear feet.
Basalt rock is common throughout the world. It’s naturally occurring; formed from the rapid cooling of low viscosity lava, giving it a strict chemical / mineral definition comprised of ~50% SiO2 and less than 5.0% of total alkalis (K2O + Na2O)³. The subsequent smelting, to convert the rock into continuous fiber (a.k.a. basalt roving), is a clean burning process that doesn’t require any additional chemical inputs.
The use of basalt to produce our rebar and other reinforcing products allows us to minimize the environmental impact during the concrete product’s entire lifecycle. All of our products can then be recycled with the concrete (at the end of its useful life) and repurposed for use in roadbeds or other applications.
When considering other [affordable] commonly used fiber reinforced polymer products, one must make the comparison of basalt to fiberglass, which is often used as reinforcement in construction applications. However, a direct comparison of the environmental and human health impact reveals that basalt is by far a better choice. According to Grandview Research; using a rating scale of 1 – 10, and 10 having the greatest negative impact regarding the product’s influence environmentally or to humans, the comparative results are as follows.
To illustrate, the steel creation process requires large inputs of coke (a type of coal) which is extremely damaging to the environment. The coke ovens emit air pollution such as naphthalene, which is highly toxic and can cause cancer. In addition, wastewater from the coking process is highly toxic and contains a number of carcinogenic organic compounds as well as cyanide, sulfides, ammonium and ammonia. Literally, 1.83 tons of CO2 is emitted for every single ton of steel produced, and it’s increasing on an annual basis. By the close of 2022, steel production will equal 1.7 billion+ metric tons, or 3.11 billion tons of CO2.
The world’s steel industry could eliminate its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through ramping up recycling, using hydrogen for fuel, and capturing carbon from older plants, according to a BloombergNEF study. But getting there will require the industry to spend $215 billion to $278 billion for capital investments, according to a report by Bloomberg’s energy data and analysis unit. Until steel companies choose to develop steel-making methods that emit fewer toxic emissions, this problem will prevail.
It’s out of this specific global demand, and to address the never-ending corrosion associated with steel reinforcement that birthed the concept for ZAH Technologies. ZAH is an applied basalt technology firm, providing turnkey manufacturing solutions and equipment to produce basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebar (trademarked as Z-Bar™) under license. BFRP rebar is a combination of sustainability and resiliency for the most efficient and cost-effective choice over a given product’s lifecycle. Z-Bar is engineered to be a higher performing, lighter weight, non-corrosive and green alternative to traditional steel reinforcement.
An effective comparison of steel vs Z-Bar™, is probably best represented in total emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) or CO2, from the mining of either product, to the smelting, refining and delivery of the finished product. Our data supports that the total production of steel generates 1.83 tons (1830 Kg’s) of CO2 emissions for every ton of steel produced. By contrast, the total production of basalt fiber reinforced rebar (BasaFlex) generates ~34 Kg’s of CO2 emissions. That’s less than 2.0% of steel’s energy related emissions by direct comparison. Regarding the transport related activities (or indirect emissions) are stipulated to be similar per truckload, however, due to Z-Bar’s lighter weight (only 25% of steel), there is an additional reduction of a 4 : 1 margin as Z-Bar requires only one (1) TL for every four (4) TL’s of steel for the same number of linear feet.
Basalt rock is common throughout the world. It’s naturally occurring; formed from the rapid cooling of low viscosity lava, giving it a strict chemical / mineral definition comprised of ~50% SiO2 and less than 5.0% of total alkalis (K2O + Na2O)³. The subsequent smelting, to convert the rock into continuous fiber (a.k.a. basalt roving), is a clean burning process that doesn’t require any additional chemical inputs.
The use of basalt to produce our rebar and other reinforcing products allows us to minimize the environmental impact during the concrete product’s entire lifecycle. All of our products can then be recycled with the concrete (at the end of its useful life) and repurposed for use in roadbeds or other applications.
When considering other [affordable] commonly used fiber reinforced polymer products, one must make the comparison of basalt to fiberglass, which is often used as reinforcement in construction applications. However, a direct comparison of the environmental and human health impact reveals that basalt is by far a better choice. According to Grandview Research; using a rating scale of 1 – 10, and 10 having the greatest negative impact regarding the product’s influence environmentally or to humans, the comparative results are as follows.
The use of Basalt in this example, and in every other comparative study, show basalt fiber as a 10 : 1 Green Advantage over the use of glass fiber; for a Sustainable alternative to traditional steel reinforcing.
As government agencies and universities continue to test and evaluate alternative methods for the world’s infrastructure, the use of FRP’s will continue to rise to the forefront, and basalt fiber reinforced polymers (BFRP) are expected to lead the way. ZAH Technologies will be resolute in its commitment to marketing, educating, and improving its resilient and sustainable products, designed to help change the world and also in its efforts to partner with other sustainable companies.
Sincerely,David L AndersonPresident / CEOZAH Technologies
Sourcing:Ourworldindata.org; MIT Climate Portal; EPA; Mining-Metals-Minerals, March 2021; Basalt. Today; THEWORLDCOUNTS.ORG
As government agencies and universities continue to test and evaluate alternative methods for the world’s infrastructure, the use of FRP’s will continue to rise to the forefront, and basalt fiber reinforced polymers (BFRP) are expected to lead the way. ZAH Technologies will be resolute in its commitment to marketing, educating, and improving its resilient and sustainable products, designed to help change the world and also in its efforts to partner with other sustainable companies.
Sincerely,David L AndersonPresident / CEOZAH Technologies
Sourcing:Ourworldindata.org; MIT Climate Portal; EPA; Mining-Metals-Minerals, March 2021; Basalt. Today; THEWORLDCOUNTS.ORG