Andromeda Metals is looking to the Indian industrial minerals market for business opportunities after signing a new Heads of Agreement.
The non-binding agreement was signed with Opaque Ceramics, an India-based company that trades zirconium silicate opacifiers, used primarily as opacifiers in glazes.
India has the second largest ceramics market in the world, with 2024 production forecasted to be 3.3 billion square metres.
The key terms outlined in the agreement include Opaque purchasing 5000–10,000 wet metric tonnes of halloysite-kaolin per annum from Andromeda’s Great White project in South Australia.
This will then be used in the development of a new product and in direct sales and distribution into the ceramic, porcelain and sanitaryware markets in India.
“We believe the partnership with Andromeda takes Opaque on the right path of diversified strategic growth in the premium end of the market segment, still leveraging the strengths and resources in the same industry at its core,” Opaque director and founder Atit Vora said.
“We are very optimistic about the joint collaboration between our companies.”
Andromeda chief executive officer and managing director Bob Katsiouleris said Andromeda is excited by the opportunity.
“The strategic partnership seeks to develop, market and distribute innovative market-leading products that enable production of bright, white and physically strong ceramics, leveraging the unique qualities of combining Opaque’s micronised zircon and Andromeda’s high-quality kaolin products,” he said.
The offtake term for the agreement is five years, with first shipments planned during the first quarter of 2025.
Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.