The Federal Government will invest $75 million into Alpha HPA to support the construction of a production facility in Gladstone – tipped to be the world’s largest facility to produce high purity alumina (HPA).
The project includes a state-of-the-art testing laboratory to maintain the company’s focus on process purity and quality control, operating 24/7 and running on 100 per cent renewable electricity.
Described as crucial to the aluminium supply chain, this project represents Australia’s first commercial scale HPA facility and will support 420 jobs during construction and, when completed, 80 roles in advanced manufacturing and chemical processing.
The project will diversify Gladstone’s industrial base, reinforce long-term, advanced industrial capability and open new career pathways for local workers.
“This investment will deliver Australia’s first commercial scale High Purity Alumina facility in Central Queensland, creating hundreds of jobs and strengthening Gladstone’s position as a major industrial hub,” Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres said in a statement.
Ayres said the project shows how regional projects can grow into major employers when supported by “reliable, long-term investment that crowds in private investment”.
Working closely with local Gladstone operations Orica and Rio Tinto’s nearby Yarwun alumina refinery, Alpha HPA will source key inputs for operations while returning by-products for use as industrial feedstock.
HPA is a critical mineral used in things like semiconductors, LED lighting and lithium-ion batteries. Global demand is accelerating, with HPA playing a key role in data centres as a key input into cooling computer chips.
Producing HPA domestically, and at scale, will help make regional Australia part of future technology global supply chains.
