BFS optimisation of high purity alumina (HPA) plant output

Highlights

• Altech’s Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) confirms an optimised annual production rate for its proposed high purity alumina (HPA) plant
• Proposed HPA plant annual production rate increased to 4,000tpa
• BFS is on schedule for completion during Q3 2015

Altech Chemicals Limited is pleased to announce that as part of its current Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS), engineering studies have established an optimised plant production rate of 4,000 tonne per annum (tpa) for the proposed high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant.

The revised annual production rate will result in further positive economies of scale and it is anticipated that operating costs per kilogram of final product (99.99% 4N HPA) will be significantly reduced.

The revised 4,000tpa production rate provides an opportunity for the Company to position itself as a significant global producer of HPA. The global HPA market was estimated at 19,040tpa in 2014, with the HPA market, driven by growing demand for sapphire glass in the LED lighting and electronics industries, expected to more than double in size to 48,230tpa by 2018, an annual growth rate of ~28% according to Technavio Research.

Altech believes that based on the forecast growth in global HPA demand, there will be sufficient HPA required for the development of a 4,000tpa HPA production plant by 2018. With annual global HPA demand estimated at ~48,000tpa in 2018, a 4,000tpa plant will represent approximately 8% of the forecast supply requirement.

Altech managing director, Iggy Tan said that the BFS work is progressing well.

“The HPA plant design output optimisation was an indisputable conclusion that supported a number of significant cost benefits through further economies of scale. We are pleased with the adjusted annual tonnage and progress of our BFS remains on schedule for targeted completion during Q3, 2015”.