Sparc Technologies Advances ecosparc® Trial with BHP at Goonyella Mine

• Fourth trial agreement for Sparc’s ecosparc® coating with major industry players
• Trial to compare ecosparc® against leading anti-corrosive coatings in coal processing plant
• 24-month field trial at BHP’s Goonyella Riverside Mine in Queensland
• Trial supports Sparc’s strategy targeting government, defence, mining, and oil & gas sectors
• Initial results expected within 6-12 months, building on extensive R&D and lab data

Sparc Technologies Partners with BHP for Real-World Coating Trial

Sparc Technologies Limited (ASX: SPN) has announced a significant step forward in commercialising its graphene-based additive, ecosparc®, through a new trial agreement with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA). The collaboration will see ecosparc® tested in the demanding environment of BMA’s Goonyella Riverside Mine (GRM) coal handling and processing plant in Queensland.

This marks Sparc’s fourth trial agreement, reinforcing its deliberate strategy to validate ecosparc® in real-world conditions across diverse sectors including government, defence, mining, and oil & gas. The Goonyella trial is particularly noteworthy given the highly corrosive conditions typical of coal processing infrastructure, providing an ideal benchmark against a market-leading anti-corrosive coating.

Trial Design and Strategic Importance

The trial involves applying ecosparc® enhanced coatings alongside a control, unmodified coating, with BMA responsible for preparing and applying the coatings on steel infrastructure. Sparc will supply the coatings at its own cost. The 24-month monitoring period is designed to yield robust performance data, with initial results anticipated within 6 to 12 months.

While the financial impact of this agreement is minimal in the short term, the strategic value is substantial. It builds on over six years of research and development, including more than 10,000 data points from accelerated cyclic corrosion testing in laboratory settings. The trial’s outcomes will be critical in demonstrating ecosparc®’s ability to extend the life and reliability of steel infrastructure, a key selling point for potential customers.

ecosparc®: A Graphene-Enhanced Coating Additive

ecosparc® is Sparc’s flagship product, a graphene-based additive designed to significantly improve the anti-corrosive properties of conventional epoxy coatings. Sparc claims that even small quantities of ecosparc® can deliver over 40% improvement in corrosion resistance, enhancing safety and cost-effectiveness for infrastructure owners.

In 2023, Sparc commissioned a commercial production facility for ecosparc®, enabling supply at scale to support ongoing trials and commercial partnerships. The company is actively engaging with global coatings manufacturers and major asset owners to broaden adoption, with the mining sector now a key focus.

Broader Market Implications and Next Steps

The BHP trial complements Sparc’s previous agreements with entities such as the South Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport, 29Metals, and Santos. Together, these trials form a comprehensive validation campaign across multiple corrosive environments and infrastructure types.

For investors and industry watchers, the trial at Goonyella Riverside Mine represents a critical test of ecosparc®’s commercial viability in one of Australia’s most demanding industrial settings. Positive results could accelerate adoption and open doors to lucrative contracts in mining and beyond.

Bottom Line?

As Sparc’s ecosparc® faces its toughest real-world test yet, the mining sector could soon see a new standard in anti-corrosive coatings.

Questions in the middle?

• How will ecosparc® performance compare quantitatively to the market-leading coating after 12 months?
• What are the commercial terms Sparc aims to secure following successful trial outcomes?
• Could positive trial results accelerate adoption of ecosparc® in other heavy industries?