ABx Group Limited (ASX: ABX), through its 83 per cent-owned subsidiary ALCORE Limited, has successfully secured full funding to complete the construction and operation of its hydrogen fluoride continuous pilot plant.
The pilot plant is being developed at the ALCORE Technology Centre adjacent to the Rio Tinto aluminium smelter in Bell Bay, Tasmania, with completion anticipated in the second quarter of 2026 and operations set to begin in the third quarter of 2026.
The plant is designed to demonstrate a proprietary technology that produces hydrogen fluoride from a by-product of the aluminium smelting process.
This development marks a major advance as all key processing equipment packages are currently under review, with manufacturing scheduled to commence shortly.
The funding will support the final stages of development, including equipment manufacture, delivery, assembly, and commissioning.
ABx Group Managing Director and CEO Mark Cooksey expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating: “Following the completion of the placement, we are enthusiastic about completing the hydrogen fluoride pilot plant as soon as possible.
“We are creating a world-leading technology to produce high-value hydrogen fluoride from an aluminium smelter by-product.
“Excitingly, there are increasing opportunities for ALCORE to create further value by producing fluorochemicals, such as rare earth fluorides.”
The plant is being established at the ALCORE Technology Centre situated beside the Rio Tinto Bell Bay aluminium smelter — a site strategically chosen for its proximity to key infrastructure and the aluminium production facility.
The pilot plant will convert aluminium smelter bath waste — an otherwise industrial by-product — into valuable industrial chemicals, promoting environmental sustainability and economic advantage by reducing reliance on imported aluminium fluoride, which is currently required by all Australian aluminium smelters.
Recruitment is also underway to support the plant’s operations, including the recent appointment of a Site Operations Manager who will commence in early December.
This project is supported by both Rio Tinto and the Tasmanian government.