Lava Blue Limited

Fantastic recognition for Lava Blue QUT (Queensland University of Technology) research team leader Professor Sara Couperthwaite receiving the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering, David & Valerie Solomon Award, for industry collaboration in front of peers and Ed Husic MP. Sara was described as a "critical minerals maverick" and in partnership with Lava Blue is developing new energy materials. Margaret Sheil AO Ana Deletic Christopher Barner-Kowollik Yuantong Gu Clinton Fookes Professor Mark Harvey Michael McCann Michael Ford Rosemary Barnes Erin Rayment Melissa Nikolic

We are excited to announce that Lava Blue is sponsoring a groundbreaking PhD opportunity at QUT (Queensland University of Technology). The project will focus on improving the performance of metal halide perovskite solar cells using Australian-sourced precursor materials. It will examine how precursor purity affects solar cell efficiency, advancing Australia’s clean energy potential. We proudly support cutting-edge research and strengthen our leadership in developing high-purity materials for the energy transition. We look forward to working closely with Professor Sara Couperthwaite and her team at QUT to drive innovation in this vital area. Together, we are shaping the future of solar technology by leveraging Australia’s abundant critical minerals. #CriticalMinerals #Innovation #CleanEnergy #SolarTech #Sustainability

Lava Blue is pleased that our Chairperson and Science Director is at The Battery Show in Detroit. The size of of the opportunity for Australian battery precursor materials cannot be understated. #CriticalMinerals #Australia #Battery

International partnership opportunities were on the agenda with a visit to Lava Blue from Innovate UK Peter Dirken and delegation thanks to QUT Energy Storage Research Group Joshua Watts, PhD. The delegation was impressed with Lava Blue's novel HPA processing capabilities and zero emission aims. Michael McCann Michael Ford #batterysupplychain #sustainability #highpurityalumina #FutureMadeinAustralia #partnerships

It was a pleasure to welcome the House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water as part of its Inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles. The Committee saw firsthand the Centre for Predictive Research into Specialty Materials (PRiSM) unlocking sovereign manufacturing opportunities in high-grade battery materials. Picture: Hon Dr David Gillespie MP (Deputy Chair), Michael McCann, Tony Zappia MP (Chair), Rebecca Gordon (Inquiry Secretary), Tamsyn McShane (Secretariat) and Michael Ford. #energy transition #electric vehicles #Made in Australia #battery materials Sylvia Tulloch Sara Couperthwaite Mick de Brenni Graham Fraine Grace Grace David Russo Melissa Nikolic

As we transition to a post-fossil fuel age, sulphuric acid will no longer be a cheap "waste product" from petroleum refining, leading to higher costs. This highlights the importance of exploring alternatives like hydrochloric acid, which is vital for mineral processing and is easily recyclable. At Lava Blue, we are acutely aware of these industry concerns and are committed to innovation in mineral processing to alleviate supply pressures. Our partnership with Queensland Pacific Metals and ongoing research at our PRISM facility are steps towards securing a sustainable future for Queensland's critical minerals sector. #CriticalMinerals #Sustainability #Innovation #QueenslandIndustry #MineralProcessing #LavaBlue

Will the Sulphur Crisis impact the European Chemical Process Industry? Europe faces a growing shortage of liquid sulphur due to the energy transition, refinery closures, the end of German gas production, and the use of sweeter crudes following the Russian boycott. Since 2020, there have been plans to import solid sulphur, re-melt it in Europe, and distribute it as liquid sulphur. Announcements were made about building re-melters in Duisburg and Brake, Germany, but as of mid-2024, no decisions have been finalized. Constructing these facilities will take 18 to 24 months, exacerbating the problem. Sulphur is crucial for producing sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), essential in numerous chemical processes, including the production of tires, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers, as well as in mining applications for critical minerals. Additionally, burning sulphur to sulphur dioxide generates heat and electricity without CO₂ emissions, a significant income source for sulphur burner plants. Delays in investing in re-melting plants raise concerns about the impact on the chemical industry. Liquid sulphur prices have surged from €70-100 per ton to €150 per ton, with further increases likely. Transporting liquid sulphur from the USA and Middle East is costly, and re-melting solid sulphur could push prices to €250-300 per ton. This makes sulphur a specialty product, challenging for smaller and mid-sized sulphur burner plants to absorb the cost increase. Uncertainty about future sulphur volumes and high energy costs deter investors. Buying sulphuric acid instead of sulphur is not a viable solution due to the loss of electricity production income and potential contamination issues. Is this sulphur crisis the next threat to the stability of the European Chemical Industry following the energy crisis? #sulphur #sulphuricacid #sulfuricacid #liquidsulfur #sulphurmelting #CRU #Argusmedia #TheSulphurInstitute #aglobis #sulserv #sulphurmagazine #HJBakerBro #solvadis #peterharrisson

Talking the talk and walking the walk with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Steven Miles, Minister Ed Husic MP, Minister Anika Wells and Professor Joshua Watts, PhD at QUT (Queensland University of Technology)‘s Advanced Battery Facility in Brisbane yesterday before the launch of the National Battery Strategy. Lava Blue is proud to be part of Team A Future Made in Australia - Yes We Can. Hon Grace Grace MP Tony Knight Michele Bauer Michael McCann Sylvia Tulloch Department of Industry, Science and Resources #CriticalMinerals #HPA #FutureMadeInAustralia #NationalBatteryStrategy

Last week, the Lava Blue Limited team had the honour of welcoming the Honourable Grace Grace MP, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, and Industrial Relations, to our PRiSM facility, accompanied by Ms Kim Richards, Member for Redlands, and Mr Don Brown, Member for Capalaba. Their visit is at a pivotal moment for Lava Blue and for Queensland’s journey to become a leading national and global player in the battery industry supply chain.   Under the Queensland Government's visionary $570 million Battery Industry Strategy, Lava Blue’s plans to expand its efficient, sustainable battery materials production and its collaboration with QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and industry partners like Critical Minerals Group Ltd, Vecco Group and Queensland Pacific Metals. Our innovative process converts low-cost inputs, including mine waste, into high-purity alumina (HPA) – a high-value, high-purity critical material in battery and LED manufacturing. Our journey from research to commercial success is accelerating in partnership with our licensees who are planning for thousands of tonnes per annum of HPA production in Queensland. This expansion is not just about scaling production; it's a leap towards sustainable industrial innovation, with PRiSM, our advanced demonstration and development centre, soon to become one of Australia's first fully solar-powered, battery-integrated light industrial facilities.  "The battery industry cluster that has developed over the last decade in southeast Queensland is going to enjoy turbocharged growth supported by the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy. It was already an attractive location for Lava Blue to invest, grow, and contribute to building a skilled workforce essential for the future battery industry," says Michael McCann, Lava Blue Managing Director. “This bold commitment by the Queensland Government is going to put the Sunshine State at the forefront of the developing Australian battery industry and will make Queensland an important contributor to the national and global energy transition in the decades ahead.”  #Innovation #Sustainability #BatteryTechnology #QueenslandLeadership #FutureIsHere #LavaBlue

Lava Blue loudly applauds the release of the Queensland Battery Strategy today. This visionary but hard-nosed strategy demonstrates the competency, expertise, courage and leadership required to catapult Queensland onto the global stage of what promises to be one of the defining industries of the 21st century.   This strategy isn't just a plan; it's a declaration of Queensland's readiness to embrace the future and play a pivotal role in the battery industry's global narrative. Here's to innovation, foresight, and the exciting journey ahead. Congratulations, Queensland, Steven Miles, Mick de Brenni, Grace Grace MP, Mike Kaiser, Tony Knight, QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and all our fellows in the battery industry. #QueenslandBatteryStrategy #Innovation #GlobalLeadership #LavaBlue #FutureIndustries #SustainableGrowth