Alpha HPA has begun works to transform its Gladstone-based project into one of the largest single site ultra-high-purity alumina refineries in the world.
Alpha HPA managing director Rimas Kairaitis announced site establishment had commenced today, with extensive funding support in place to progress to full scale production.
“Key earthworks and civil contractors have now commenced site establishment activities ahead of the imminent commencement of project earthworks,’’ Kairaitis said.
“Contractors have started mobilising equipment and support infrastructure, and Ergon have commenced power line burial ahead of commencement of earthworks.
“Alpha HPA’s construction management team is now fully established in Gladstone.”
The construction milestone follows a previously announced $400 million government debt facility secured to fund the Stage Two development, plus $180 million raised in equity with strong support from five per cent shareholder Orica.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen visited the Gladstone site recently to tour the established Stage One facility and the cleared Stage Two site.
“With financing in place and line of sight to commercial production in place, Alpha HPA is experiencing a pickup in larger volume sample sales for final testing with global tier one end-users,’’ Kairaitis said.
Stage Two construction is expected to take around two years, with first production anticipated in the second half of 2026.
“We are pleased to report the company is observing a significant increase in end-user engagement within the semiconductor industry, augmented with a recent marketing visit to Japan, where there is a concentration of manufacture of high-end thermal interface materials for the semiconductor sector,” Kairaitis said.
Alpha HPA is also making headway in its breakthrough technology to combat rising lithium-ion battery fires, with flame testing confirming the safety benefits of its UltraCoat process.
The UltraCoat process utilises Alpha HPA’s proprietary, ultra-high purity Al-Nitrate precursor to apply controlled thickness high-purity aluminium-oxide and hydroxide coatings to a range of surfaces within the lithium-ion battery environment.
The company is also taking steps to advance its complementary downstream Alpha Sapphire business.
Alpha Sapphire has maintained successful growth cycles of high-quality synthetic sapphire boules from the initial two sapphire growth units in Gladstone.
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