Funding for production of fused zirconia

The Department of State Development is contributing more than $29,000 for a study into the viability of producing fused zirconia in Western Australia.

State Development Minister and Deputy Premier Ian Taylor said Australian Fused Materials Pty Ltd (AFM), operators of the fused alumina facility in Rockingham, were keen to expand into the fusion of zirconia if process testing, product analysis and market survey studies provided positive results.

Fused zirconia is one of the strongest new high-tech materials and is used in applications similar to fused alumina such as in the manufacture of ceramic materials, electronic components and refractories.

"The majority of the funding will come from the partners in the AFM plant, Japan Abrasives and Doral Mineral Industries, with $24,750 from the Federal Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce.  It will fund a market survey of current consumption and potential new uses," Mr Taylor said.

"This research into industry expansion is supported by the Government and is in keeping with our policy contained in the 'WA Advantage' to attract more raw material processing to WA."

Managing director of Doral Minerals Industries (DMIL) - the 50 per cent shareholder in AFM and also Chairman of AFM, Mr George White said the new AFM alumina plant was still in its early stages of production and would be building up production and markets for some months before it became profitable.

"However, we can see exciting opportunities for production of fused zirconia using Western Australian zircon sand as feedstock and are anxious to carry out the necessary detailed work to justify the investment in a fused zirconia plant," Mr White said.

"Testing programs are already being carried out by AFM's Japanese shareholder, JACO at their Sakai plant and market research was being undertaken to generate the necessary level of confidence before a commitment could be made."

Mr White said he was delighted at the Government's contribution towards this work and their vote of confidence in AFM.

Doral recently agreed to purchase approximately ten percent of JACO and JACO has decided to shift its manufacturing operations from Japan to AFM in Rockingham.