World’s largest activated clay plant in Brazil

Circlua, headquartered in Belo Horizonte (MG, Brazil) has entrusted thyssenkrupp Polysius to perform a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract for the construction of the world’s largest activated clay plant with a capacity of 3000 t/d. The plant will be located in the Brazilian state of Pará, where the high-quality clay will be sourced from the gigantic clay reserves of the iron ore complex of Carajás and up cycled. The kaolinite content of the clay – up to 80 % – is the reason for the very high quality of the product, which will be used as Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM).

Circlua and thyssenkrupp Polysius have already started a vivid and ambitious technology partnership to develop a unique plant involving innovative technologies to calcine the clay using electrical-based solutions. The use of renewable electricity from the amazing renewable energy potential of Brazil, in particular its abundant and competitive hydroelectric energy, to power the plant is a key driver to target carbon neutrality, making the activated clay that will be produced for the global market, a unique SCM. “This project reflects our dedication to advancing future-ready solutions,” explained Dr. Luc Rudowski, Head of Innovations at thyssenkrupp Polysius. “Combining activated clay technology with renewable energy is a game-changer for reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.”