Ann: Altech - Patent Granted for Kaolin to HPA Production Process, page-9

From https://lawpath.com.au/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-standard-and-innovation-patents

"
Innovation Patents
Innovation patents are a quicker and lower cost form of patent protection. Innovation patents are common with inventions that have a short commercial life, particularly in the technology sector. If your invention involves a modification on an existing technology within your industry, an innovation patent may be suitable.

A claim of patentability for an innovation patent requires the invention to be:

• Novel;
• Useful; and
• Involve an innovative step when compared to the prior art base.

The patent application process can take 1 month, with a protection term of 8 years. Unlike standard patents, innovation patents do not require a substantive examination and are granted after a formalities check. Seeking action against infringement and enforce your rights will require a substantive examination."

"
Innovative Step
The innovative step is an easier step to satisfy than the inventive. An innovative step requires the invention to have at least one difference from the prior art, and this must be a difference that substantially contributes to how the invention works. The difference can be any modification to another invention and unlike standard patents, can be obvious. This includes any improvements or upgrades made on an existing invention.

This step is assessed based on whether a skilled person in the industry would find that the current invention makes a substantial contribution, improving an invention over previous models. The finding of a substantial contribution will result in an innovative step."

Smart move by atc to get some protection. I think this will be a real thorn on the side of some competitors.