Environmental Clean Technologies nears granting of Australian patent for Coldry technology

Environmental Clean Technologies (ASX: ESI) will soon have in hand an Australian patent covering its Coldry technology with Jott Australia’s withdrawal of its opposition to the patent. 

The company’s patent application can now progress to final examination and granting of the patent is expected within the next six to eight weeks. 

In late 2009, Jott Australia lodged an opposition to the granting of the full Patent by IP Australia based on the grounds of “lack of novelty”.

Coldry is a coal drying technology using a low temperature and low pressure process.

When applied to lignite and some sub-bituminous coals, the relatively simple Coldry beneficiation process produces a black coal equivalent in the form of pellets. 

Coldry pellets have equal or superior energy value to many black coals and produce lower carbon dioxide emissions than raw lignite. 

Besides the pending Australian patent, Environmental Clean Technologies also has patent applications in progress in Europe, Brazil and India.

The company already holds patents in China, the U.S., New Zealand and Canada.