Moroccan spinout Fluoralpha raises US$110M to transform phosphate waste into EV, semiconductor materials

MOROCCO – Fluoralpha, a spinout of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), has secured over US$110 million in financing from Bank of Africa to establish a large-scale facility at Jorf Lasfar.

The plant will convert hexafluorosilicic acid (H₂SiF₆), a byproduct of phosphate processing, into high-value fluorine-based materials for electric vehicle batteries and semiconductor manufacturing.

The project is part of a US$280 million investment plan and marks a milestone in Morocco’s efforts to capture more value from its natural resources.

Once operational, the facility will target annual production of 20,000 tonnes of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid (AHF), essential for semiconductor etching and lithium battery salts, and 28,000 tonnes of aluminum fluoride (AlF₃), which boosts efficiency in aluminum smelting.

Fluoralpha CEO Jalil Skali said the venture reflects Morocco’s ambition to become a global hub for fluorine products, reducing dependence on imported raw materials such as fluorspar.

“This project strengthens Morocco’s industrial sovereignty while positioning us as a reliable supplier to future-facing industries,” he noted.

The financing underscores growing investor confidence in Morocco’s industrial transition. Bank of Africa described the deal as a “transformational step” that aligns with the Kingdom’s sustainability and innovation agenda.

Morocco, which holds nearly 70% of the world’s phosphate reserves, has long been a leader in fertilizer production through OCP Group.

Now, with global demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) rising, the country is moving to capture new opportunities in green energy and digital technologies.

The European Union has classified fluorine derivatives like AHF and AlF₃ as strategic inputs for the clean energy transition.

By supplying European gigafactories and semiconductor fabs, Fluoralpha aims to position Morocco at the heart of resilient supply chains serving EVs, chips, and aluminum.

Industry analysts note that the project is particularly timely as geopolitical pressures and supply bottlenecks have raised concerns about access to fluorine chemicals, most of which are currently sourced from China.

Morocco’s entry into this market could provide an alternative, strategically located supplier at the crossroads of Africa and Europe.

As global competition for clean-tech materials accelerates, Fluoralpha’s Jorf Lasfar project may set a precedent for resource-rich countries transforming industrial byproducts into critical technology enablers.

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