The gamma-LiAlO2 ceramic material is the reference candidate for the solid breeder option of the Next European Torus Program. The experiments and methodologies developed in Italy to produce high surface area gamma-LiAl02 powders to be compacted by cold pressing and sintering at 70 to 90% of the theoretical density, keeping a near fully open porosity is presented. The lithiating step was assessed for the Li2CO3 and Li2O2 precursors reacting with Al2O3 having submicron grain size. Sol-gel methodologies were also developed for the gamma-LiAlO2 preparation by which very high surface area ceramic grade powders were obtained.