A simple process to produce fine and low soda alpha-alumina (alpha-Al2O3) from a commercial grade aluminium trihydroxide (gibbsite, Al(OH)(3)) produced by KC Corporation Ltd was developed. There are two options for this process with the first one producing low soda alpha-alumina (< 0.05% Na2O) having a mean particle size of 50 mu m. The second option yields a fine product with a mean size of less than 10 mu m. In the first option, a plant aluminium trihydroxide containing 0.20% Na2O was first fluidized with nitrogen at 400-600 degrees C to yield an amorphous activated alumina. This intermediate product was then treated with acetic or oxalic acid, washed with water and heated to 1200 degrees C to form calcined alpha-alumina, having a Na2O content of less than 0.05%. A 20 min leaching using 0.2 M acetic or oxalic acid could yield an alumina product containing 0.04% Na2O. In the second option, a new technique for the preparation of fine and low soda alpha-alumina was evaluated using an attrition mill working also as a leaching vessel at 80 degrees C. Fine (< 10 mu m in mean particle size) and low soda (< 0.04% Na2O) alumina was produced by a 20 min leaching step with 0.2 M acetic acid and concurrent attrition milling. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.