ALCORE Government Assistance Update
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
4 September 2025
ALCORE: R&D Overseas Finding Approved,
Industry Growth Program Application Underway
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ALCORE receives Overseas Finding approval and is eligible for claiming on
overseas R&D activities from 2024 to 2026
Industry Growth Program (IGP) engagement underway with ALCORE preparing a
grant application for up to $5 million following receipt of advisory report.
Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant program - DISR and ALCORE agree
to repayment schedule for unused balance of grant funds.
ABx Group (ASX: ABX) (“ABx” or “the Company”) is pleased to provide an update on
government assistance for its 83%-owned subsidiary, ALCORE Limited, including approval of
an Overseas R&D Finding by AusIndustry, participation in the Industry Growth Program and
an update on the repayment of unused Modern Manufacturing Initiative grant funds.
Overseas R&D Finding Approved
The R&D Tax Incentive applies to activities conducted within Australia. Overseas R&D
activities may be eligible if the R&D cannot be conducted in Australia, for example because
it requires facilities, expertise or equipment not available in Australia.
ALCORE’s overseas R&D expenditure is anticipated to be higher in 2025 and future years, to
support the pilot plant and commercial plant. ALCORE submitted an Overseas Finding
application to the ATO in late CY2024 detailing how activities undertaken with South Africanbased fluorochemical engineering consultant BFluor Chemicals and specialist international
equipment manufacturers for ALCORE’s pilot plant could not be obtained in Australia. The
ATO engages AusIndustry, within the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, to
assess Overseas Finding applications.
AusIndustry has now approved ALCORE’s application, which applies to overseas expenditure
incurred by ALCORE during 2024, 2025 and 2026. This will include over $2m of capital
expenditure for the continuous pilot plant being constructed in Bell Bay, Tasmania.
Prior to the end of 2027, ALCORE may submit a further Overseas Finding application to apply
to R&D activities for 2027 to 2029.
This outcome supports ALCORE’s ongoing technology development efforts and reflects the
project's growing engagement with specialised international expertise.
For more information, please join ABx Group’s interactive Investor Hub
ABx Group Limited
Suite 2, Level 11, 385 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3205
ABN 14 139 494 885
P: +61 3 9692 7222 | F: +61 2 9956 7355
ASX: ABX
ASX announcement 4 September 2025
page 2
Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) Grant Program Update
The Federal Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant program concluded
at the end of March 2025. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)
approved $7.44 million in actual and committed project expenditure, representing $3.15
million in eligible MMI grant funds.1
DISR previously indicated the unused balance of grant funds received ($2.53m excluding
GST) is repayable.1 DISR confirmed that it wants the ALCORE project to continue and does
not want the required repayment to impact the project’s success.
DISR and ALCORE have now agreed to a repayment schedule consisting of approximately
equal monthly instalments, concluding on 29 June 2026.
Industry Growth Program
In late 2023, the Federal Government established the Industry Growth Program to support
small and medium enterprises (SMEs) undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or
growth projects within the priority areas of the Australian Government’s National
Reconstruction Fund (NRF) and help build Australia’s manufacturing capability for the future.
ALCORE is in preparing an application for a Commercialisation and Growth Grant of up to $5
million. ALCORE successfully passed the first stage of the application process, where an
Industry Growth Program Adviser was provided who has worked with ALCORE to develop a
plan for commercialisation and will provide an Advisory Service report.
The grant application is expected to be submitted in September 2025, with a decision on the
grant anticipated before the end of CY2025.
Pilot Plant Progress
The above updates support the construction of the continuous pilot plant, where orders for
all key equipment have been placed.2 ALCORE will continue to provide further updates as
the project progresses toward commissioning.
ALCORE is profoundly appreciative of the significant financial support provided by the
Federal Government for this highly prospective technology, without which it would not be
commercialised in Australia.
ABx Group Managing Director and CEO Mark Cooksey said:
"These recent developments mark important progress for ALCORE. The approval of our overseas
R&D activities validates the specialised nature of our work and enables us to continue engaging
global expertise where it is most needed. Our engagement with the Industry Growth Program is
another positive step as we move closer to commercialising our clean fluorine chemical
technology."
1
2
ASX announcement, 26 June 2025
ASX announcement, 9 April 2025
ASX announcement 4 September 2025
page 3
This announcement is approved for release by the board of ABx Group Limited.
Go to the ABx Investor Hub to ask any questions of management.
For further information please contact:
Dr Mark Cooksey
MD & CEO
ABx Group
+61 447 201 536
mcooksey@abxgroup.com.au
www.abxgroup.com.au
Media
Chapter One Advisors
David Tasker / Alex Baker
+61 433 112 936 / +61 432 801 745
dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au /
abaker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au
About ABx Group Limited
ABx Group Limited (ABx) is a uniquely positioned Australian company delivering materials
for a cleaner future.
The three priority projects are:
•
Heavy rare earths: Supplying light and heavy rare earths from Tasmania into
Western supply chains
•
Clean fluorine chemical production: Producing industrial chemicals from
aluminium smelter waste (ALCORE)
•
Near-term bauxite production: Mining bauxite resources for the aluminium,
cement and fertiliser industries
ABx endorses best practices on agricultural land and strives to leave land and environment
better than we find it. We only operate where welcomed.
Disclaimer Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This ASX announcement (Announcement) contains various forward-looking statements. All
statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties in that they may be
affected by a variety of known and unknown risks, variables and factors which could cause
actual values or results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the
expectations described in such forward-looking statements.
ABx does not give any assurance that the anticipated results, performance, or achievements
expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements will be achieved.
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