A method comprises reacting an aluminum feedstock with an acid in the presence of water to provide an aluminum salt solution comprising an aluminum salt in water, wherein the aluminum salt comprises a reaction product of the acid and aluminum, and spray roasting the aluminum salt solution at a temperature of at least about 450 C. to provide an aluminum oxide powder, wherein the spray roasting is performed in a furnace lined with a refractory comprising alumina that is at least about 99.2% purity alumina, and wherein the aluminum oxide powder is 99.2% pure aluminum oxide or greater.

A method comprises reacting an aluminum feedstock with an acid in the presence of water to provide an aluminum salt solution comprising an aluminum salt in water, wherein the aluminum salt comprises a reaction product of the acid and aluminum, and spray roasting the aluminum salt solution at a temperature of at least about 450 C. to provide an aluminum oxide powder, wherein the spray roasting is performed in a furnace lined with a refractory comprising alumina that is at least about 99.2% purity alumina, and wherein the aluminum oxide powder is 99.2% pure aluminum oxide or greater.

Anhydrous antiperspirant stick or soft solid composition comprising an antiperspirant active system, thickening agent, and non-aqueous carrier oil, characterised in that the particulate antiperspirant active system comprises an aluminium sesequichlorohydrate of formula Al.sub.2(OH).sub.4.4Cl.sub.1.6 to Al.sub.2(OH).sub.4.9Cl.sub.1.1 activated with a water soluble calcium salt.

Activated aluminum sesquichlorohydrate (AASCH) powders prepared by (a) diluting the concentrated aluminum sesquichlorohydrate (ASCH) solution to from about 10% to about 25% by weight, (b) heating the diluted solution to obtain a Band III polymer concentration of at least about 20% and a Band IV polymer concentration of at least about 15%, (c) drying the heated solution to powders, and (d) optionally screen or light mill the powders to free flowing spherical particles are disclosed.

A process for preparing high purity alumina from aluminium-bearing materials is provided. The process digesting an aluminium bearing material to provide an aluminium chloride liquor, a first crystallisation vessel for crystallising aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids from the aluminium chloride liquor, optionally one or more subsequent crystallisation vessels for dissolving and recrystallising the aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids, and thermal treatment means for thermally treating the aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids to provide high purity alumina.

Anhydrous antiperspirant stick or soft solid composition comprising an antiperspirant active system, thickening agent, and non-aqueous carrier oil, characterised in that the particulate antiperspirant active system comprises an aluminium sesequichlorohydrate of formula Al.sub.2(OH).sub.4.4Cl.sub.1.6 to Al.sub.2(OH).sub.4.9Cl.sub.1.1 activated with a water soluble calcium salt.

Method and apparatus for preparing at least one metal chloride from metal oxide containing material comprising calcining the metal oxide containing material under temperature conditions sufficient to obtain a calcined product comprising at least one metal oxide; and selectively chlorinating the calcined product to form at least one metal chloride.

Method and apparatus for preparing at least one metal chloride from metal oxide containing material comprising calcining the metal oxide containing material under temperature conditions sufficient to obtain a calcined product comprising at least one metal oxide; and selectively chlorinating the calcined product to form at least one metal chloride.

Anhydrous antiperspirant stick or soft solid composition comprising an antiperspirant active system, thickening agent, and non-aqueous carrier oil, characterized in that the particulate antiperspirant active system comprises an aluminium sesequichlorohydrate of formula Al.sub.2OH.sub.4.4Cl.sub.1.6 to Al.sub.2OH.sub.4.9Cl.sub.1.1 activated with a water soluble calcium salt.

Method and apparatus for preparing at least one metal chloride from metal oxide containing material comprising calcining the metal oxide containing material under temperature conditions sufficient to obtain a calcined product comprising at least one metal oxide; and selectively chlorinating the calcined product to form at least one metal chloride.