Interesting news release regarding Zenyatta and Lariplast. Fluffy

A Thunder Bay mining exploration company is a playing a key role in the development of an industrial additive that could improve structural properties in concrete used in buildings, making them more resistance to natural disasters like earthquakes.

The additive is to include nano-graphite taken from Zenyatta Ventures’ existing graphite deposit near Hearst. It continues to be actively explored.

“The enhanced product will allow the use of less concrete during construction (and will) inhibit premature failure and also large forces, typically produced during earthquakes or explosions,” a Zenyatta news release said Monday.

The plan to develop the additive is in conjunction with Israeli concrete technology specialist company Lariplast, as well as Israel’s Ben Gurion University of the Negev and B.G. Negev Technologies.

The partners have signed a memorandum of understanding, but no financial information was released.

It was announced while Premier Kathleen Wynne tours the Middle East this week touting partnerships between Ontario and Israeli companies.

“These types of partnerships developed on our trade mission sow the seeds for greater collaboration between Ontario and Israel, and will help lead to future economic growth in both jurisdictions,” Wynne said in the Zenyatta release.

According to the news release, “Lariplast will be responsible for incorporating the nano graphite material into concrete applications.”

“The development of this enhanced product will greatly reduce the amount of concrete used in construction and (reduce) carbon dioxide emissions,” the release added.

Ben Gurion University chemical engineering professor Oren Regeve said that “to the best of our knowledge this will be the first nano-modified concrete product of this kind.”