The first stage of Alpha HPA's 5N-purity aluminium nitrate precursor manufacturing plant is nearing completion in Queensland. The total production of aluminium nitrate in Stage 1 has achieved an estimated quantity of 258 tonnes, with a specified purity level of 5N (99.999%). Currently, an estimated quantity of 25 metric tonnes of aluminium nitrate has been sent for test samples and transformed into high-purity alumina (HPAs) and alumina tri-hydrates for both sales and test work orders.
A small-scale commercial high-purity alumina (HPA) circuit will be installed, and the facility's capabilities will expand to span the whole product range thanks to $15.5 million funding given by the state government's essential minerals development programme. Once the first step of the circuit is entirely operational, around half of the aluminium nitrate will be converted into hydrogen peroxide. The balance will be sent to sales after all contracts have been finalised. Alpha announced its intention to temporarily halt manufacturing operations throughout Christmas and New Year to provide personnel training on the recently installed circuit.
Alpha has provided a positive update on the commissioning of the rotary kiln and tunnel kiln calcination circuits, which now produce 30kg of high-purity alumina (HPA) per day. The HPA tablet sinter oven, which plays a crucial role in enhancing the manufacturing capacity of sapphire glass, has been delivered to the site and is now being installed and connected to the electrical system.
Alpha intends to increase production rates further to maximise the output of high-purity alumina (HPA) that may be sold, as well as to provide tablet feedstock for the manufacturing of synthetic sapphire via the Alpha Sapphire project in partnership with European producer Ebner-Fametec. Once commissioned, the facility can accommodate up to 40 tonnes of additional HPA production capacity per year.
Alpha is now in the advanced phases of conducting a comprehensive feasibility assessment and establishing funding arrangements for the second stage of the high-purity alumina project. This stage marks a significant milestone as it will be the first large-scale deployment of Alpha's technology for purifying aluminium. The research will include a revised production profile and serve as the conclusive financial analysis for negotiations with project financiers.
It has completed many rounds of production certification and sent 50 kg of nano-HPA to a Japanese client whose identity will remain secret. An essential material for semiconductor thermal interfaces, the product will be used to produce ultra-pure aluminium nitride. The price tag of over $50 per kg is considered a "demanding specification with attractive pricing", according to Alpha. Starting in 2025, the order is anticipated to yield a multi-tonne order since it will permit a larger-scale manufacturing run.
The Australian-based company and its advisers are making advancements in developing a project financing loan facility. This facility will be financed via collaboration between the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and Export Financing Australia. The organisation is now in the concluding phases of doing due diligence and obtaining necessary permissions from lenders.
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