In the industrial hub of Gladstone, Queensland, something extraordinary is happening. A local company is positioning this regional town at the heart of the global artificial intelligence revolution, and the impact on jobs and innovation is nothing short of remarkable.

Alpha HPA, a rapidly growing Gladstone-based company, is building the world's biggest production facility for high purity alumina, or HPA, a critical mineral that plays a vital role in cooling the powerful computer chips driving AI technology for tech giants like NVIDIA, Intel, and Amazon. The company currently employs 130 people and plans to nearly double that workforce over the next year, bringing exciting career opportunities to the region.

The white substance, which has the delicate consistency of icing sugar, is becoming increasingly essential as the AI industry grows into what the UN projects will be a multi-trillion dollar sector by the 2030s. As computer chips become more powerful, they generate tremendous heat that can impact performance. HPA's exceptional thermal conductivity makes it perfect for drawing heat away from these critical components, solving one of the biggest challenges facing the tech industry today.

Managing director Rob Williamson explains it simply: "It's like an engine in your car. If it runs too hot, performance drops and components fail. Computer chips are no different." By helping manage this heat problem, Alpha HPA is enabling the next generation of technological advancement.

The company's growth story is inspiring. Starting as a nickel miner in New South Wales, Alpha HPA relocated to Gladstone in 2021 to access chemicals from Orica and feedstock from Rio Tinto. This strategic move has paid off beautifully, with the company now attracting significant support and recognition.

Alpha HPA has already commenced commercial sales to semiconductor manufacturers in Asia and the United States, with agreements to provide up to 4,000 metric tonnes of HPA annually. This success has attracted substantial backing, including $30 million from the Queensland Government's critical minerals fund and a $400 million financing package from federal sources.

The Ripple Effect: The success of Alpha HPA represents far more than just one company's achievement. As Phineas Glover, head of APAC ESG and Sustainability at investment bank UBS, notes, this is "a positive development for Australia." The country is moving beyond simply supplying raw materials into producing high-specification, value-added materials that directly enable advanced technologies.

This shift means better jobs, higher skills development, and greater economic benefits staying in Australia. The thermal management solutions Alpha HPA provides are helping solve critical challenges in data centers worldwide, where excessive heat has become a major constraint on computing performance.

For Gladstone, the transformation is tangible. What was already an important industrial center is now playing a crucial role in shaping the future of technology. The doubling of Alpha HPA's workforce means more families supported, more opportunities for local residents, and a bright future for the region.

Professor Robert Perrons from Queensland University of Technology emphasizes the importance of this work, noting that managing excess heat has become extremely important in chip design. Alpha HPA's success in this field positions Australia as a key player in enabling the AI revolution while creating meaningful employment and economic growth at home.