Coaltech Research Association

Alternative uses of coal in the production of advanced materials and lightweight products for the sustainability of the South African coal industry

Desktop review commissioned to shape a five year coal processing research roadmap, covering rare earth recovery, carbon fibre, graphene, activated carbon and building products. For research planners.

Coaltech | October 2023

What this report found

Coal can feed products well beyond combustion. The study sets out routes to rare earth elements held in particular seams, building materials made with carbon fibre and carbon char, coal foam and graphene composites, carbon black and activated carbon, including a coal derived activated carbon reported to hold four times the gas of compressed natural gas at lower pressure.

R1500,00

Description

This report seeks to present a new approach to the evaluation of coal and its alternative applications as a resource for a wide array of high-tech and high-value products made using innovative, economic and responsible technologies. The objective is to present examples of new developments and currently operating ones drawn from international sources that could serve as examples for the South African coal community to aspire to. From this base, South African corporate entities can assess the opportunities to use South African coal in this new manner and expand into these areas of applications. By doing so, demonstrate a wide range of advanced manufacturing opportunities for development in South Africa.

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