Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF) is relocating its Silumina Anodes™ research and development laboratory from Perth to Germany, aligning it with the Silumina Anodes™ pilot plant in Saxony.
The pilot plant has been constructed and is operating at the Saxony site, with the co-location of the laboratory and pilot facility expected to improve R&D testwork, support pilot plant operations and deliver cost efficiencies.
Silumina Anodes™ is a silicon-based anode material designed to enhance lithium-ion battery performance. In-house development has enabled the incorporation of high-capacity silicon into lithium-ion batteries, delivering up to 30% higher energy density while maintaining improved battery life.
Non-disclosure agreements have been signed with automobile manufacturers in Germany and the US as preparations are made to supply commercial samples of Silumina Anodes™ material for in-house testing.
As part of the move, Germany-based Dr Luise Bloi has been appointed chief technology officer. Bloi holds an MSc in chemistry and a PhD specialising in carbon-based anodes for all-solid-state battery concepts, and brings experience from Skeleton Technologies, ACC Automotive Cells Company and the Fraunhofer Institute.
Commercialising CERENERGY® sodium chloride solid-state battery technology
In a broader update, the company reiterated it is also commercialising its CERENERGY® sodium chloride solid-state battery technology through a joint venture with Fraunhofer IKTS. CERENERGY® is positioned as a lithium-ion alternative that is fire- and explosion-proof, designed for an operating life of more than 15 years, and free of lithium, cobalt, graphite and copper.
The CERENERGY® joint venture plans to build a 120 MWh production facility on Altech-owned land in Saxony to manufacture battery modules for grid-scale energy storage.
For Silumina Anodes™, the German subsidiary has completed a definitive feasibility study for an 8,000 tpa silicon alumina coating plant at the Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park in Saxony, with Ferroglobe nominated as the European silicon feedstock supply partner.