Sparc Technologies has entered into an agreement with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) to conduct a field trial of its ecosparc enhanced coating at the Goonyella Riverside Mine in Queensland.
The trial will assess the coating’s performance in coal handling and processing plant (CHPP) infrastructure under real-world conditions, Sparc said in an ASX announcement.
Sparc Managing Director Nick O’Loughlin expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting BMA’s role as Australia’s largest producer and supplier of seaborne metallurgical coal.
“Sparc is very pleased to be working with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance to complete field trials of ecosparc® enhanced coating in its coal handling facilities.”
“The conditions within the CHPP offer an ideal setting to benchmark the ecosparc® enhanced coating against an existing market-leading product. We thank BMA for the innovative approach they have shown by supporting this field trial,” O’Loughlin said.
The trial aligns with Sparc’s broader strategy of working with asset owners across government, defence, mining, and oil and gas sectors to evaluate the performance of its coatings in various operational environments.
The CHPP at Goonyella Riverside Mine, situated in Moranbah, presents conditions suitable for a robust field trial, including exposure to temperature fluctuations and moisture.
The data collected will build on over six years of research and development, complementing more than 10,000 data points from prior laboratory-based corrosion testing.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sparc is responsible for supplying ecosparc® enhanced coatings and unmodified control coatings, along with specified application instructions, at its own cost.
MA will prepare the steel infrastructure and oversee the application of both coatings. The trial will be monitored over a 24-month period, with initial results expected within six to twelve months.
While the financial impact of the agreement is described as negligible, Sparc sees the trial as strategically significant in demonstrating the real-world efficacy of its graphene-based additive product.
Previous field trials with the South Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport, 29Metals, and Santos have similarly focused on comparing ecosparc® enhanced coatings with existing market-leading anti-corrosive paints.
Sparc has spent years developing ecosparc®, a graphene-based additive designed to enhance protective coatings.
The company reports that the addition of ecosparc® to conventional epoxy-based coatings has resulted in a more than 40% improvement in corrosion resistance.
In 2023, Sparc commissioned a commercial production facility to support the manufacturing and supply of ecosparc® at scale.
Multiple global coatings companies are currently evaluating the additive for potential inclusion in their products.
The company continues to target infrastructure owners in government, defence, mining, and oil and gas sectors for additional field trials.
