Andromeda wraps up commercial-scale ceramic glaze pilot trials

• Andromeda Metals completes commercial scale pilot plant trials for Great White CRM^TM
• Results have validated Great White CRM^TM as a high-quality kaolin product for use in industrial glaze formulations
• Andromeda says new sales opportunities have now opened up, supporting future expansion

Special Report: The completion of commercial-scale pilot trials has validated the use of Andromeda Metals’ Great White CRM^TM in ceramic glaze formulations, proving it to be a reliable, high-performance material for the ceramics industry.

The trials were carried out at a respected ceramic frit and glaze manufacturer in Alcora, Spain, using a pilot plant that closely mirrors real-world tile production.

They were carefully supervised by the Institute of Ceramic Technology with support from Galesk Consultancy, and they assessed the use of Great White CRM^TM in two key glaze formulation segments:

• A standard glaze composition to manufacture single-fired wall tiles with a glossy white opaque finish, with kaolin content of 8.3% by weight; and
• A matt ‘smaltobbio’ glaze composition for the manufacture of porcelain tiles, with a kaolin content of 22%.

Ceramic frits and glazes are the glass coating on ceramics, applied for protection and aesthetics.

For each glaze formulation, the trials also compared the results to glazes using the industry benchmark kaolin used by most ceramic glaze companies in Southern Europe.

Some of the stand-out results from the trial include:

• Improvement in key glaze properties, such as adhesion, cohesion, and whiteness;
• Enhanced properties of glazed tiles, notably the adhesion and cohesion of the glaze layer before firing, ensuring greater stability and reduced risk of defects; and
• Demonstrating Great White CRM can be used in industrial-scale ceramic glaze production.

New sales opportunities

The findings confirm Great White CRM as a high-quality kaolin product, enhancing Andromeda Metals’ (ASX:ADN) position as a key supplier.

ADN’s kaolin products have previously been certified by ceramics industry experts and customers for use in high-end ceramics, tableware and countertops.

The company believes the validation of Great White CRM^TM for frits and glazes at industrial scale opens new potential sales opportunities for Andromeda’s kaolin.

ADN acting CEO Sarah Clarke said the positive results can now be used to market the high-quality products from the Great White project for use in ceramic glaze formulations, expanding the range of uses and potential customers for Great White CRM^TM.

“These positive results open up additional sales opportunities and support future potential expansion while the Company progresses finalising the binding financing documentation for a debt facility with Merricks Capital,” she said.

Watch: Sarah Clarke joins Stockhead TV

A step closer to FID

Merricks Capital recently confirmed credit approval for a $75m debt facility to support development of the Great White kaolin project in South Australia, after examining the technical, financial, legal, market, environment and social aspects.

Securing the debt facility marks a major step forward, bringing the company closer to locking in full funding for a final investment decision on Stage 1A+ of the Great White project.

The $75 million debt facility includes principal, capitalised interest and fees, cash reserving requirements and a cost overrun tranche.

ADN will have 78 months to repay the debt, starting after a 12-month grace period that kicks in once the project development is finished.

This article was developed in collaboration with Andromeda Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.