The Tasmanian Government has reinforced its commitment to sustainable innovation by granting a $1 million conditional loan to ALCORE Limited, a subsidiary of ABx Group Limited (ASX: ABX). This funding is a significant milestone in establishing a pilot plant that will demonstrate ALCORE’s cutting-edge process to recycle aluminium smelter waste into high-value industrial chemicals.
Driving Innovation with World-First Technology
ALCORE’s proprietary technology extracts hydrogen fluoride from aluminium smelter bath waste. This substance is essential for producing aluminium fluoride, a critical component in aluminium smelting that is currently fully imported into Australia. The continuous pilot plant in Tasmania aims to showcase a groundbreaking circular economy model, turning waste into resources while reducing reliance on imports.
Mark Cooksey, Managing Director and CEO of ABx Group, said:
“This support from the Tasmanian Government validates our technology and accelerates our journey towards scaling up operations. By recycling industrial waste into valuable chemicals, we’re addressing critical supply chain vulnerabilities and contributing to Australia’s sustainability goals.”
Record-Breaking Results Enhance Confidence for Scale-Up
Recent trials at ALCORE’s NSW-based batch reactor have yielded groundbreaking results, with a record 97% fluorine recovery and an 85% recovery rate in single-stage processing. These outcomes confirm ALCORE’s deep understanding of the process and provide strong confidence for the scale-up to continuous pilot operations.
The pilot plant will incorporate a two-stage reactor design, leveraging these high-recovery rates to optimise commercial operations. With the Tasmanian facility, ALCORE is poised to lead in sustainable industrial innovation.
Government Support and Circular Economy in Action
The Tasmanian Government’s $1 million interest-free loan underscores its vision for fostering high-tech, environmentally friendly industries. The funding will enable ALCORE to finalise construction plans, secure a site, and initiate operations by early 2025. If the project does not progress to a commercial stage, the loan will not need to be repaid, reflecting the state’s strong confidence in the initiative.
Future Impact: A Cleaner and More Resilient Australia
The ALCORE project not only enhances environmental sustainability but also strengthens Australia’s industrial autonomy. By replacing imported aluminium fluoride with locally recycled products, ALCORE addresses critical vulnerabilities in the national supply chain while supporting local economies.
Mark Cooksey added:
“Our process not only demonstrates Australia’s leadership in industrial recycling but also supports a cleaner and more sustainable future. The progress we’ve made highlights the immense potential for innovative technologies to transform industries.”
