Altech Chemicals appoints IKTS as a strategic partner to enhance the qualification process for Silumina Anodes

Altech Chemicals has successfully enrolled the Dresden-based German research institution, Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), as a strategic guide to accelerating the testing and qualification process for the company’s patent Silumina Anodes™.

IKTS independently wishes to run some tests on Altech’s Silumina Anodes™ battery material to check its endurance in different battery-related usages. The prime intuition of IKTS after the detailed study of lithium-ion batteries is to conduct elongated performance tests on varied battery applications ensuring the proper qualification process of the Silumina Anodes™ material for customer demand.

IKTS has state-of-the-art labs and technical centres full of extraordinary equipment at its sites in Dresden (Saxony), Hermsdorf (Thuringia) and several other sites around Germany. IKTS is one of the most acclaimed research centres for battery materials worldwide, though it may not be the leader in it. IKTS currently inaugurated its Battery Innovation and Technology Center (BITC) in Arnstadt.

Altech already has the funding to construct a pilot plant adjacent to its industrial circuit in Saxony, Germany, in a quest to provide commercial samples to prospective downstream customers, further encouraging the qualification process. 

Altech has concluded pre-feasibility research for the erection of a 10,000 tonnes per annum Silumina Anodes™ plant in Germany.

Altech's innovation, silicon graphite composites can not only last longer than conventional graphite anodes but also has a higher energy capacity that leads to intense stability during the battery’s lifetime.

In 2021, Altech announced its successful development of a 30 per cent higher energy battery with enhanced circular economy rate and battery life which is now undergoing the method of commercial development.

After an investment of US$95 million for the pre-feasibility study, the project is set to return a present value of US$507 million with an annual net free cash yield of about US$63 million. The internal rate of return for the project has been evaluated to be an enormous 40 per cent. Altech is speeding up the project to embrace the upcoming stage of development.

The Company has used its wit to secure graphite and silicon feedstock from the European subcontinent along with enjoying reduced supply risks by headquartering its activities in Germany.

The importance of local material supply for the European market and EV makers has been realized owing to the latest crisis in Europe, engulfing supply chain pressures and rising energy prices.

The production supply risks are becoming more eminent and extreme focus would be now on European supply. 

Altech Chemicals Limited wishes to become one of the largest suppliers of 99.99% (4N) high purity alumina (Al203) through the building and operation of a 4,500 tonnes per annum high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Johor, Malaysia. Raw material for the plant would originate from the Company’s fully owned kaolin deposit at Meckering, Western Australia and then would be transported to Malaysia.

HPA is a high-value product used in the making of synthetic sapphire that in turn is used in the manufacturing of substrates for LED lights, semiconductor wafers applied in the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass used in wristwatches, smartphone components and ophthalmic devices. Moreover, HPA is also utilized by the lithium-ion battery makers as the coating on the battery’s separator, improving the performance, longevity and safety of the battery.