Annual Report
Perth, Nov 1, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In September 2020, Altech Chemicals Ltd (
ASX:ATC) (A3Y:FRA) announced the successful laboratory based application of an innovative method for the coating of graphite particles with a nano-layer of alumina, and shortly thereafter the technology was also successfully applied to the coating of silicon particles. Both the silicon and graphite particles are typical of those used in the anode of lithium-ion batteries, where there is an evolving consideration for the use of alumina because of the positive impacts that alumina coated graphite and silicon particles may have on battery life and performance.
Following the announcement of its coating technology, Altech succeeded in entering into a collaboration agreement with a leading European silicon producer, Ferrosolar SLU, and recently a collaboration agreement was executed with SGL Carbon of Germany, a world leader in the development and production of carbon based solutions.
The Company believes that its nano technology, which has been used to coat battery materials anode particles such as silicon and graphite with a fine layer of alumina, has the potential to present an opportunity to resolve the first-cycle-capacity-loss and silicon particle swelling problems that are present in lithium-ion batteries.
To support the further development and testing of its technology, in July 2021, Altech announced the opening of a dedicated research and development laboratory in Perth, Western Australia. With its own laboratory, we are now able to conduct a range of materials testing and development work, including battery testing to both demonstrate and refine our technology with the ultimate goal being commercialisation.
Complementing its work in Australia, Altech's 75% owned German subsidiary, Altech Industries Germany GmbH has commenced a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) for the construction of a battery materials high purity alumina coating plant, in Saxony Germany. The PFS will contemplate a plant with annual production capacity of 10,000tpa (35tpd), use 100% green energy and would be constructed at the Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park, Saxony, Germany.
Work on finalising project financing for the Company's proposed Malaysian high purity alumina (HPA) plant continued through the year. Details for a US$144m green bond offering as a secondary debt layer behind the US$190m of senior debt from German government owned KfW-IPEX Bank, are currently being finalised and initial soundings have been positive. The HPA plant site at Johor, Malaysia remains on care and maintenance following the successful completion of stage-1 and stage-2 early works construction in June 2020, this work was completed on time and on budget.
Finally, the continued support of all shareholders during the year was demonstrated by the successful $14.5 million rights issue that completed in January 2021.
To view the Annual Report, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/340P5L86
About Altech Batteries Ltd
Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS ("Fraunhofer") to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.
The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech's land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.
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