Alpha HPA secures $75 million to supercharge advanced materials manufacturing in Central Queensland
Alpha HPA First Project, image supplied by Alpha HPA
Alpha HPA, the world’s first company to produce ultra-high purity aluminium materials using a commercial scale solvent extraction method, has secured a $75 million investment from the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC). This funding will support delivery of its HPA First Project in Gladstone, Queensland, which upon completion is expected to become the world’s largest single manufacturing facility for high purity aluminium.
The project’s momentum is supported by the Commonwealth Government’s ongoing investment. This includes $400 million in combined debt facilities through Export Finance Australia (EFA) and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
The further investment from the NRFC now serves as the cornerstone for a $225 million funding round, successfully crowding in an additional $150 million from institutional investors, with continued backing from Orica Limited and Australian Super.
This investment reflects broader government efforts to align priorities with Specialist Investment Vehicles (SIVs) for nationally significant projects supporting Australia’s economic transition. The NZEA is actively working with SIVs, such as the NRFC, to ensure that they are aware of the breadth and scale of opportunity across our priority regions.
Together, these settings help create the conditions for projects like Alpha HPA to deliver long-term regional benefits, including local jobs, workforce capability and economic growth.
Strengthening Australia’s sovereign supply chains
High-purity alumina is a critical input for a range of clean energy and advanced technology applications. By scaling domestic production, Alpha HPA’s Gladstone facility will help reduce reliance on offshore supply chains and strengthen Australia’s manufacturing resilience.
Using Alpha HPA’s proprietary processing technology, the HPA First Project will operate on 100 per cent renewable energy. This process delivers near-zero waste, low-emissions production and a purity profile differentiating Alpha HPA globally.
The project leverages Central Queensland’s established industrial ecosystem, including existing infrastructure, energy networks and a highly skilled workforce, reinforcing Gladstone’s role as a national manufacturing hub.
'This investment backs a truly innovative Australian company while also strengthening Australia’s economic security and supply chain resilience around a critical material that is essential to the future economy,' NRFC Chief Executive Officer David Gall said.
Backing regional jobs and worker transitions
For Central Queensland, this funding will support a major expansion of industrial activity, creating work across construction, operations and supply chain areas. This will provide new pathways for workers to transition into advanced manufacturing roles.
Alpha HPA currently employs around 130 people, but once Stage Two of the First Project becomes operational with an expected date of 2027, a further 120 full-time roles will be created. During construction, the project will generate more than 420 jobs for the region.
As the project progresses, demand is expected to grow for skilled trades, process operators, engineers and technicians, alongside indirect employment in logistics, maintenance and professional services.
These roles build on the region’s existing industrial strengths. They provide opportunities to upskill workers currently employed in emissions-intensive industries and supporting workforce continuity as Australia’s industrial base evolves.
‘NRFC’s participation reflects growing confidence in a project that will deliver jobs, skills and advanced manufacturing capability in regional Queensland,’ said NAIF Chief Executive Officer Craig Doyle.
Long-term regional impact
With construction and operations anchored in Gladstone, the investment is expected to deliver lasting economic benefits for the region. It will support local businesses, apprenticeships and skills development over the life of the project.
For Central Queensland, the Alpha HPA investment demonstrates how targeted public and private funding can work together to drive regional growth, support worker transitions and build the industries Australia will rely on in the decades ahead.