WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Feb. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nalco Mobotec Inc., a global leader in combustion optimization and air improvement technologies, announced today that is had entered into a joint venture agreement with SONIC Technology Solutions Inc. of Vancouver, Canada to expand the use of fly ash from coal-fired power stations as a cement substitute. The joint venture company, SonoAsh LLC, will develop SONIC's SonoAsh process, which physically preconditions waste fly ash and reduces residual carbon. Successful development will lead to a fully commercialized process allowing waste fly ash to be used as a cement substitute or concrete additive.
"The SonoAsh solution is another offering in the suite of solutions provided by Nalco Mobotec to enhance our customers' operations and reduce their environmental footprint," said Eric Fischer, President of Nalco Mobotec.
"Production of cement contributes an estimated seven percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. North America and Europe selectively utilize high-grade fly ash but 65 percent of North America's fly ash is deemed unacceptable to the cement industry and ends up in landfills. Global cement demand approaches three billion tons annually and has grown rapidly in recent years. We are very excited about this technology's impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the bottom line for our customers."
Cement is one of the largest commodity industries in the world and is also one of the most energy intensive. High-grade fly ash, from the electric utility industry, is currently used in the concrete industry as a performance-enhancing additive or cement replacement. This practice can contribute significantly to global reduction of greenhouse gases by reducing the need to produce cement. The SonoAsh process turns low-grade waste fly ash into a valuable high-grade product with carbon credits for both the electric utility and cement industries.
About SONIC
SONIC Technology Solutions Inc. (TSX-V:SNV) provides advanced processes utilizing a proprietary sonic reactor technology. SONIC's unique low frequency high amplitude technology was developed and used successfully at full scale in environmental processes now commercially licensed and is now the focus of the PetroSonic upgrading process for heavy oil. SONIC began working with ash from coal-fired power stations to utilize stack gases in fluidized bed boilers by recarbonating limestone. This work led to the SonoAsh process for conditioning ash as cement substitute. SONIC's operations include both the PetroSonic upgrading process and related energy processes. The Company partners in the development of other applications such as SonoAsh and the SonoOil process for improved oil sands process dynamics.
About Nalco Mobotec
Nalco Mobotec provides innovative solutions to the world's global air pollution challenges and offers practical approaches for the control of nitrogen and sulfur oxides (NOx /SOx), carbon monoxide, mercury and particulates. Nalco Mobotec's solutions can accommodate fuel flexibility, biomass conversions, or co-firing in boilers. Instead of requiring major capital equipment purchases, its engineered solutions approach optimizes current assets. Visit www.nalcomobotec.com. Nalco Mobotec is a subsidiary of Nalco Holding Company (NYSE:NLC) the global leader in water, energy, air and process technologies and services that deliver savings for customers and improve the environment.
This news release includes forward-looking statements, reflecting current analysis and expectations, based on what are believed to be reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected, stated or implied, depending on many factors, including, without limitation: ability to generate cash, ability to raise capital, ability to refinance, the result of the pursuit of strategic alternatives, ability to execute work process redesign and reduce costs, ability to execute price increases, business climate, business performance, economic and competitive uncertainties, higher manufacturing costs, reduced level of customer orders, changes in strategies, risks in developing new products and technologies, environmental and safety regulations and clean-up costs, foreign exchange rates, the impact of changes in the regulation or value of pension fund assets and liabilities, changes in generally accepted accounting principles, adverse legal and regulatory developments, including increases in the number or financial exposures of claims, lawsuits, settlements or judgments, or the inability to eliminate or reduce such financial exposures by collecting indemnity payments from insurers, the impact of increased accruals and reserves for such exposures, weather-related factors, and adverse changes in economic and political climates around the world, including terrorism and international hostilities, and other risk factors identified by the Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will meet future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. This paragraph is included to provide safe harbor for forward-looking statements, which are not generally required to be publicly revised as circumstances change, and which the Company does not intend to update.