Ann: WAK - Dec 2022 Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 5B, page-12

I wrote my previous post in a hurry so that I could do something while the spot where I needed to work was still shaded from direct sunshine, hence the few typos. More importantly, I simply mentioned “glass” without pointing out that what is significant in respect to WAK is fibreglass, which is why WAK has a product coded as K99F. To provide information on this topic, the information that I pasted into the Postscript below was found a few minutes ago by Googling “kaolin fibre”. I understand that the modern motor-vehicle sector is a significant reason why kaolin supply is being diverted into the fibreglass sector, and hence reducing supply for other applications of kaolin. This occasions kaolin price increases generally, and particularly in East Asia.

Stanco is in the centre of this fibreglass vortex. I have not been able to find text in Sanco's website on the level of processing that Stanco undertakes, but the pictures of complex plant suggest that beneficiating kaolin would be a doddle for Stanco. This means Stanco could be the logical entity to convert K99F from a basic fibreglass product to the niche specifications of individual end users of kaolin as a feedstock. That is why Stanco is so interested in WAK.

Why retail investors in WAK may get the short straw is a topic for another post.

POSTCRIPT

Kaolin is only used in the manufacture of reinforcing glass fibre, also known as continuous filament glass fibre or textile grade. In this type of glass fibre, kaolin makes up to around 29% of the weight of the batch formulation in some cases. Other typical constituents of textile grade glass fibre are silica sand (29%), limestone (30%) and boron compounds (12%). This type of glass fibre is used to increase the strength of plastics, rubber cement and other materials.

One of the most important applications of textile grade glass fibre is in reinforced plastics, especially in reinforced thermosetting polyester resins. Since the 1950s, glass fibre has steadily taken over from wood in the construction of the hulls of boats and ships. In the motor industry, glass fibre has been used for a similar length of time, initially to replace body panels and similar large structural components. In recent years, new products reinforced with glass fibre have been developed for components, such as clutches in automobiles.

Various grades of glass can be used to produce textile grade glass fibre. The standard textile grade glass fibre is E-glass available as chopped fibres, mats, rovings and woven products. E-glass fibre is the mostly commonly produced form of glass fibre but is susceptible to attack by dilute mineral acids making it unsuitable for some applications. As a result, C-glass fibre is used in composites that are likely to come into contact with acids with a further use in reinforcing bituminous roofing sheets. S-glass fibre is specialised glass fibre used in applications where a high strength is required. This form of glass is considerably more expensive than the other types used in glass fibre.

Insulation grade glass fibre (IGFG), also known as insulating glass fibre or glass wool, is mainly used to insulate buildings. Insulation and textile grade glass fibre are the most important types in terms of the quantity produced.

Optical grade glass fibre is manufactured in much lower quantities, but is far more valuable than the other two main forms of glass fibre. Production of optical fibres is growing as demand for fibre optic cables for use in telecommunications is increasing.

Other types of glass fibre include D, M, L and AR-glass fibre. D-glass fibre is mainly used in the electronics sector in applications such as printed circuit boards because of its high electrical resistance. AR-glass fibre was developed for use as a reinforcement material for cement. This type of glass fibre has good resistance to alkalis, good durability and is also much lighter than traditional cement. The main application is as a replacement for asbestos in construction products such as roofing. M-glass fibre is highly elastic and L-glass fibre is resistant to radiation making them useful in specialised applications.