A hydrogen fluoride pilot plant being established by ABx Group, via subsidiary ALCORE, in Australia is now fully funded to operate.
The plant will be used to demonstrate a process to produce hydrogen fluoride from a by-product of the aluminium smelting process.
Abx CEO, Mark Cooksey, said: “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 will be constructed at the ALCORE Technology Centre, adjacent to the Rio Tinto aluminium smelter in Bell Bay, Tasmania.
Hydrogen fluoride is a precursor chemical for aluminium fluoride, refrigerants, fluoropolymers and battery chemicals. It is also essential in the manufacturing process for semiconductors and solar cells.
All key equipment for the plant was ordered in April 2025, with delivery and assembly scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
Commissioning of the pilot plant is set for the third quarter of 2026.
