Iluka Resources Limited has recently committed an additional GBP 6M (AUD 12.2M) to its investment in the private, UK based, Metalysis Limited with an undertaking to commit a further GBP 4 million (AUD 8.1M) before 15 July 2016. The position in Metalysis is a part of Ilukaâs alliancing and new ventures approach. Metalysis is seeking to develop a single stage process for a low cost, low environmental impact, transformation of various metals into powder form.
David Robb, Ilukaâs Managing Director stated: âIf Metalysis can commercially produce titanium metal powder direct from rutile and synthetic rutile, at materially lower cost than current technologies, then a dramatic expansion in demand for titanium metal and titanium alloys could be expected. The application of titanium powder in 3D printing also presents potentially significant opportunities in a rapidly expanding market. Such developments would be positive for high grade titanium dioxide feedstock demand.â?
Ilukaâs support for Metalysis has been both financial and technical, with an example of the latter aspect being test work involving the addition of other elements to synthetic rutile which allow customised titanium metal alloys to be produced.