The Australian Aluminium Council (AAC) has announced that Alpha HPA Limited has joined as a new member, diversifying the Council’s representation to include high purity alumina (HPA) for the first time.
Executive Director of the AAC, Marghanita Johnson, welcomed Alpha HPA to the Council.
“We are excited at the prospect of representing a new product which is set to be made in Australia and distributed to the world as part of the ever-growing range of products we will need to meet technology challenges – today and into the future,” Ms Johnson said.
Aluminium oxide (Al2O3), better known as alumina, has been produced in Australia for more than fifty years and is largely supplied to the global aluminium smelting industry, usually at purities of more than 99 per cent.
Increasing the purity of alumina to 99.99 per cent or greater to make HPA also takes alumina into applications in a new world of technologies with strong growth opportunities in a decarbonising world.
HPA is used to make safer, more efficient and longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries, synthetic sapphire for LED lighting and high technology optics. The applications for HPA in low carbon markets are growing, making HPA a critical mineral of the future.
Ms Johnson said today’s announcement shows the importance of a strong regional manufacturing base in Australia.
“Alpha HPA is planning to leverage Australia’s existing industry to create this new manufacturing opportunity,” she said.
“Strengthening our national manufacturing capabilities now will put Australia in the strongest possible position to meet these future forecasts for not only traditional commodities such as bauxite, alumina and aluminium; but also, other emerging aluminium related commodities, like HPA, aluminium alloys and aluminium salts. As the world’s largest producer of bauxite and the largest exporter of alumina, Australia is strategically positioned to support this opportunity.”
Managing Director of Alpha HPA, Rimas Kairaitis, said the company is delighted to be joining the AAC.
“We are developing our first HPA Project in Gladstone, alongside some of the world’s largest manufacturers of metallurgical grade alumina. We believe our high purity technology and product offering are a fantastic showcase in the role of aluminium products in energy transition and decarbonisation.”
