Impact Minerals (ASX: IPT) has moved to accelerate its high purity alumina (HPA) commercialisation strategy, with its 50%-owned associate company Alluminous entering a technology collaboration agreement with US-based battery innovator Charge CCCV.
The agreement will see the parties jointly develop and qualify the HiPurA high purity alumina process for advanced battery applications, with full cell testing undertaken by C4V.
The collaboration strengthens Impact’s strategy to build a vertically integrated HPA business linking Lake Hope natural feedstock with downstream modular HPA production through Alluminous.
It also positions Alluminous as a potential supplier of battery-grade HPA into the US clean energy market, where supply-chain security and non-Chinese sourcing are increasingly important.
C4V Technology Collaboration
Under the agreement, Alluminous and C4V will work together to qualify HiPurA HPA for a range of battery applications including separator coatings, ceramic layers, solid-state components, and electrode interface materials.
C4V will conduct full cell testing to replicate qualification requirements used by global battery original equipment manufacturers, providing real-world performance validation and materially shortening the pathway from pilot-scale production to commercial readiness by accelerating technical and commercial qualification.
Through C4V’s networks, Alluminous gains potential access to US, Indian and European gigafactory pathways and increased visibility with major battery manufacturers.
The agreement is non-exclusive and does not include any binding offtake arrangements, allowing Alluminous to continue parallel discussions with other downstream customers and strategic partners while preserving commercial flexibility as qualification work progresses and market opportunities evolve.
Clear End-Market Pathway
Impact managing director Dr Mike Jones said the agreement provides a clear pathway to qualify HiPurA for an emerging and attractive end market.
“We are delighted to see Alluminous enter into this important collaboration with C4V and we congratulate chief executive officer David Leavy and his team for reaching this milestone only six months after purchasing the technology,” Dr Jones said.
“C4V’s world-class expertise in cell design and ceramic-coating technologies will greatly enhance the technical and commercial readiness of Alluminous and its visibility in the North American HPA marketplace.”
Alluminous will now prepare initial HiPurA HPA sample batches for delivery to C4V from its Perth pilot plant, which is currently capable of batch-mode operation.
The company has further optimisation work planned for the plant to complete continuous-mode operation, with performance data from C4V integrated into the process.
Meanwhile, Impact will continue advancing its Lake Hope project while evaluating integration pathways between the feedstock and HiPurA process, with integration test work already underway with Edith Cowan University under a Cooperative Research Centres Projects grant.
