Alpha HPA Expands Analytical Capabilities In Gladstone

Advanced materials manufacturer Alpha HPA’s Gladstone operation has commissioned a new PerkinElmer NexION 5000 ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) to bring advanced analytical testing in-house, no longer relying on specialist laboratories interstate and significantly reducing turnaround times for critical product analysis.

For the past three years, samples have been sent to a specialist laboratory in Perth to verify the absence of trace impurities in their products, with results often taking up to six weeks to be returned. This new capability enables testing to be completed on site, allowing Alpha HPA to access analytical data in hours rather than weeks for semiconductor and other advanced technology applications, lowering the cost of external analysis.

The NexION 5000 is one of the most advanced multi-quadrupole mass spectrometers available and can detect elements at extremely low concentrations, which is currently being used to analyse products for uranium and thorium, with the capability to detect less than 0.2 parts per billion (ppb). The instrument provides a "proof of zero" capability, helping to verify the absence of these elements in Alpha HPA's ultra-high purity aluminium products.

Laboratory Superintendent Ronald Janssen said the instrument would play an increasingly important role as production volumes grow and customer requirements continue to evolve.

"Advanced analytical capability is often concentrated in major capital cities. Having this technology available in Gladstone allows us to build specialist expertise in regional Queensland while supporting the quality and performance requirements of global customers."

Recently, Alpha HPA secured Australian Made certification across its entire product range, recognising the Australian manufacturing behind its ultra-high purity aluminium materials and synthetic sapphire products. Managing Director Rob Williamson said the certification recognised the local technology, expertise and manufacturing capability behind the Company’s products.

“We have developed the technology here, built the manufacturing capability here and are producing advanced materials in Australia for some of the world’s most technically demanding industries,” Mr Williamson said.

“We are proud to carry the Australian Made logo and support what it represents. Building sovereign manufacturing capability means developing the technology, skills and facilities to make more high-value products here in Australia.

“Our customers are also looking for secure and reliable supply chains. The Australian Made logo gives them an independently recognised way to identify our products as Australian manufactured.”

As Alpha HPA expands its production in Gladstone, the certification will provide independent recognition of its Australian manufacturing capability while supporting the production of more advanced products in Australia.

The new technology and certification provide additional confidence in Alpha HPA's ability to verify product purity and meet increasingly strict analytical requirements, taking another step in building globally competitive advanced manufacturing capability in regional Queensland, supported by world-class infrastructure and specialist expertise.