Australia materials technology company Adoxima is partnering with TRaCE researchers at the University of Newcastle to investigate new applications of its proprietary Disordered Nano Cluster (DNC) technology.

Adoxima has developed a cleaner manufacturing process for advanced boehmite and is now exploring the potential of the same approach to produce High Purity Alumina (HPA), a critical material used in lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, LED lighting and advanced industrial applications.

This TRaCE R&D Voucher project, led by Laureate Professor Ajayan Vinu, is investigating how Adoxima’s advanced boehmite can be used for the manufacturing of HPA, as a material where global demand is outpacing supply. CRU Consulting Australia estimates that HPA demand “could in theory grow at 30% p.a. from 19,000 tonnes (2018) to 272,000 tonnes (2028)”. Based on the forecasted demand growth, securing reliable production pathways for this essential material is increasingly urgent.

As demand for batteries, electrification and clean energy technologies continues to grow worldwide, so does the need for reliable supplies of HPA. Established production methods are often energy-intensive, rely on hazardous chemicals and generate significant carbon emissions. For manufacturers working to meet tighter sustainability standards, these constraints are becoming a commercial problem as much as an environmental one.

Through this project, Adoxima and University of Newcastle researchers are evaluating a manufacturing pathway that could reduce both environmental impact and production costs. The project also aims to strengthen Australia’s lithium-ion battery supply chain by supporting cost-competitive domestic production of high-value materials.

DNC technology replaces the toxic solvents and harsh processing conditions common in alumina production with a proprietary manufacturing process designed for industrial scale. As part of the R&D Voucher project, researchers will characterise the resulting materials and optimise thermal processing conditions to produce HPA that meets quality, performance and consistency benchmarks.

Key project outcomes are expected to include:

  • Validation of a production pathway for HPA from Adoxima’s boehmite materials.
  • Identification of contamination risks throughout the manufacturing process and strategies to minimise them.
  • Optimisation of powder characteristics required for high-density sintering and advanced materials applications.
  • Delivery of a technical and techno-feasibility assessment to support future scale-up opportunities.

Adoxima’s DNC technology enables precise control of particles size at the nanoscale. This level of control could have significant advantages for battery manufacturing. Finer and more uniform alumina powders are expected to improve the thermal performance and lifespan of ceramic battery coatings. Both factors are increasingly important for electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage and will be explored further as the project progresses.

This partnership was made possible through the combined support of TRaCE and the AusTestBed program delivered by EnergyLab and New Energy Nexus. This demonstrates how collaborative investment can help accelerate the development of cleaner manufacturing technologies and strengthen Australia’s future battery supply chain.