Seeing as though we now have a new year, and also due to the fact that quite a lot has happened very recently, I thought it might be a good idea to give you an update on where I believe we currently stand, and what is likely to happen over the next 3 to 6 months.
Latest Developments (not in any particular order):
As I expected, on January 19th the GDOT did indeed leapfrog the formality of making an announcement about the acceptance of EdenCrete for 24 hour accelerated strength and Class B concrete applications and simply published their “Office of Materials and Testing Qualified Products List” which now includes EdenCrete. This is what we have all been waiting for, for over a year! This is a huge milestone due to the fact that the GDOT can now immediately start stipulating the use of EdenCrete for all future suitable projects. This should also mean that many other DOT's will soon follow.
The final and successful 365 day ASTM C494 S compression test results were received. These results were important for companies and government authorities who are required to wait for these results before trialling, tenderung, placing orders etc..
The results of the successful Permeability ASTM C 1543 test (AASHTO T259) were received. These results not only open up the huge coastal and marine application markets, they also have positive implications with regard to the current, and as yet still unsolved, major steel reinforcement corrosion/concrete cancer problems. In addition they enhance EdenCrete’s chances of even broader penetration in the US and globally, where salt is applied to road and bridge surfaces in order to inhibit the formation of ice.
EdenCrete exhibited at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas over the last few days. This should have been a resounding success and led to even greater interest being shown in EdenCrete, both in the US and abroad.
News was received that although there was a slight delay to CS2, it should now begin full production in April. This slight delay is really nothing to worry about considering the size and scope of this project, and the fact that CS2 will be producing a whopping 40,000 gallons of EdenCrete a week. It should also not be forgotten that a lot this project involves completely new and cutting edge technology, therefore teething problems were to be expected. Having said this, I believe that the progress that EdenCrete has made in Colorado up to now is extremely impressive and EdenCrete is now fast nearing the finishing line. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
News was received that the production at Colorado will be expanded (CS3) which included the purchase of the adjoining property for this purpose. Based on my research and the size of the reactors, I am anticipating that CS3 will also be able to produce 40,000 gallons of EdenCrete a week.
As anticipated, the first official feedback was received from the “precast concrete” sector which was extremely encouraging (see “Encouraging Precast / Prestressed Bridge Beam Trials” announcement). With the US Precast Concrete sector predicted to rise 6.4% in 2018 to US$12.2 billion p.a., I see an extremely bright future for EdenCrete in this market. It should also be noted that projects undertaken in the US and global infrastructure markets are both readymix and precast, both of which EdenCrete will serve.
Further additions to the EdenCrete sales team were indeed made.
The first European order was received for 1,000 gallons of EdenCrete.
Future Announcements and Developments (not in any particular order):
An announcement that EdenCrete is now on the GDOT’s “Office of Materials and Testing Qualified Products List” for 24 hour accelerated strength and Class B concrete applications.
An announcement about the results of EdenCrete activities at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas.
Announcements about commercial orders in the US being taken by various members of the EdenCrete sales team for various applications.
An announcement that EdenCrete will be used in several upcoming GDOT projects. This will herald the beginning of a steady, continual and guaranteed stream of GDOT projects.
An announcement about the exact opening date of CS2. The commissioning of C2 will most probably include both local press and TV coverage.
An announcement that EdenCrete’s existing customer MARTA has put in another order. Please note that I believe MARTA is currently waiting for funding approval, therefore the slight delay.
Announcements about additional European orders.
An announcement, or a series of announcements, about feedback from companies that are currently trialling EdenCrete for “readymix” applications.
An announcement, or a series of announcements, about feedback from companies that are currently trialling EdenCrete in the “precast concrete” sector.
News that other DOT's have also taken on, or at least will trial EdenCrete, for 24 hour accelerated strength and Class B concrete applications. My bet is that the Colorado DOT will be one of the first cabs off the rank.
News of very serious interest being shown in EDE (and TAS) by institutional investors. This is highly likely to happen if EDE gets included in the ASX300 when it is reshuffled in March.
An announcement about further developments with EdenPlast, which could include trials with several different companies.
An announcement about the time frame for the Class A/Class 1 application field test to be carried out by the GDOT and/or the FHWA. Considering that EdenCrete is now on the GDOT’s “Office of Materials and Testing Qualified Products List” for 24 hour accelerated strength and Class B concrete applications, and that EdenCrete has also succesfully completed all of the outstanding ASTM tests, I believe that this testing will definitely take place in 2017. .
An announcement about further developments concerning the progress of the Deakin University's ultra high strength concrete (UHC) research project, including whether additional funding, in the form of another grant, has been received.
Special Note: Donald Trump and his US infrastructure program:
Love or hate Donald Trump, he is an entrepreneur and he will gets things done. If he achieves only one thing over the next 4 years, it will be spending massive amounts on US infrastructure. As most of you hopefully know, the Democrats are also committed to massively improving the US's infrastructure. Therefore, passing the necessary and massive budgets in the Congress should be a foregone conclusion. EdenCrete is perfectly placed to take advantage of DT's US infrastructure program and their timing could not be any better.
Cheers!
MB
P.S. Please note that every post that I make on HC is based on factual information obtained personally by me, or given personally to me by totally reliable and vetted sources. HC posts from me may also contain my own personal opinion, therefore all readers must do their own research.
EDE Price at posting:
24.5¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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