Lava Blue, Halocell Energy Partner to Strengthen Australia’s Sovereign Solar Materials Supply Chain

Australian advanced materials company Lava Blue has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with next-generation solar technology firm Halocell Energy to collaborate on developing a sovereign Australian supply chain for high-purity materials used in perovskite solar cells.

The agreement focuses on the joint development of scalable, Australian-made specialty chemicals required for perovskite solar modules—materials that are currently imported, expensive, and available only in limited quantities. The partnership aims to support commercial-scale roll-to-roll manufacturing of lightweight and flexible solar modules for applications including drones, satellites, indoor energy harvesting, and space-based systems.

Under the MOU, Lava Blue will contribute its expertise in specialty materials processing, while Halocell will advance the commercial deployment of printed perovskite photovoltaic modules.

“This partnership builds industrial capability in a space where Australia has real advantages—scientific expertise, local feedstocks, and a national interest in clean manufacturing,” said Michael McCann, Managing Director of Lava Blue. He added that the company’s role is to bridge the gap between research-grade materials and industrial-scale, commercially viable inputs.

Addressing a Key Bottleneck in Perovskite Commercialisation

Perovskite solar cells are emerging as a promising photovoltaic technology due to their high efficiency, low-cost manufacturing potential, and strong performance in low-light conditions. However, large-scale adoption has been constrained by limited access to high-purity precursor materials, most of which are imported and produced primarily for laboratory use.

Lava Blue plans to industrialise these inputs by producing economically viable, high-purity precursor materials from locally sourced feedstocks, including mine tailings, using proprietary clean processing technologies.

“The goal is to reduce material costs and enable Halocell to scale production beyond the laboratory,” McCann said.

Halocell’s perovskite modules are designed for use cases where conventional silicon solar panels are less effective, including aerial platforms, space applications, and indoor sensors.

“To achieve scale, we need access to fit-for-purpose materials at the right cost,” said Paul Moonie, CEO of Halocell Energy. “That’s why this partnership with Lava Blue is so important.”

Strengthening Australia’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Base

The collaboration aligns with Australia’s critical minerals and clean energy strategies, contributing to the development of a sovereign advanced materials supply chain.

The MOU outlines cooperation in several areas, including:

• Development and supply of scalable perovskite precursor materials
• Evaluation of potential offtake agreements and joint projects
• Engagement across the domestic and international perovskite value chain

The agreement builds on Lava Blue’s work under an Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded project, which focuses on refining high-purity materials from mine waste for use in downstream clean energy technologies.

Broader Industrial Capabilities

Lava Blue also produces High Purity Alumina (HPA)—a critical material used in batteries, semiconductors, optics, and LEDs—through proprietary processes that utilise unconventional feedstocks such as kaolin, red mud, and industrial tailings. Global demand for HPA is forecast to exceed 240,000 tonnes per annum by 2030, with a significant portion of current supply concentrated in China.

The company operates the Centre for Predictive Research into Specialty Materials (PRiSM) in Brisbane, a demonstration-scale facility capable of producing 4N and 5N HPA, and licenses its processing technology to industrial partners globally.

While the MOU with Halocell is non-binding, both companies view it as a foundation for deeper collaboration as the global perovskite market continues to evolve.

“This partnership signals that Australia can move beyond raw material exports to become a supplier of specialised, value-added inputs essential to future energy systems,” McCann said.