Neither company disclosed the timeline for the advanced engineering works.

Clough can offer Alcore support in concept evaluation and regulatory approvals; project feasibility studies, the design of specialised process engineering, electrical control and instrumentation; and construction, process optimisation and debottlenecking.

"Our expertise with technology readiness, front-end engineering and EPC delivery will ensure a smooth transition for Alcore from the lab research stage to their first commercial plant," Clough CEO and managing director Peter Bennett said.

Alcore COO Phillip Hall called the company an "ideal partner" for the project.

"[It] is well known for its commitment to safety and sustainability, whilst optimising productivity and costs at every phase of a project," he said.

"Alcore is now fully resourced on technology, having also appointed Dr Mark Cooksey, a senior CSIRO engineer with over 22 years' experience in the aluminium smelting industry."

Alcore is a 90%-owned subsidiary of Australian Bauxite. It has global exclusive rights to the aluminium-related portion of the patent-pending CORE technology, which Clough has also been investigating for several years.

After six months of test works, Alcore has committed to constructing the first commercial plant converting aluminium smelter by-products to aluminium fluoride (AlF3), which can be sold back to the smelters as an essential electrolyte.

Clough is a wholly owned subsidiary of Murray & Roberts.