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- Altech Chemicals (ATC) is in the final stage of developing an anode-grade high purity alumina (HPA) for use in lithium-ion batteries
- The breakthrough follows extensive work with research organisation such as the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institute
- Altech is now proceeding to an independent verification phase of its method for the alumina coating of graphite particles
- This verification process is expected to reach completion during the next quarter of this year
- Altech Chemicals (ATC) closed 25.58 per cent up for 5.4 cents per share
Altech Chemicals (ATC) is in the final stage of developing an anode-grade high purity alumina (HPA) for use in lithium-ion batteries.
HPA is commonly used as a coating for separator sheets within lithium-ion batteries, and has been found to improve battery performance, durability and overall safety.
That said, there is a growing use for alumina in the anode component of batteries.
The graphite particles within anodes are currently uncoated, but recent tests have shown that particles coated with alumina have the potential to reduce first cycle capacity loss, thereby by increasing battery energy retention and extending its life and performance.
This breakthrough comes in response to a number of lithium-ion battery anode development trends that have been identified in Europe, as well as an extensive amount of collaborative work with notable research organisation such as the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institute in Munich, Germany.
Altech is now proceeding to an independent verification phase for its method of coating graphite particles with HPA. This process, which will be carried out in partnership with certain universities and laboratories, is scheduled to reach completion during the next quarter of this year.
Following successful verification, the company is anticipating a progression to end-user trials and ultimately commercialisation.
Iggy Tan, Managing Director of Altech Chemicals, believes the new product development represents an exciting time for the company.
“We have the potential to take lithium-ion battery performance to the next stage with the use ofAltech’s alumina coating product and technology. Commercialising the process would represent a significant step in lithium-ion battery anode evolution,” he added.
The news comes hot on the heels of Tesla’s highly anticipated “Battery Day” on Tuesday, during which the electric vehicle giant confirmed its intention to enter the lithium mining business with the purchase of a 10,000-acre lithium clay deposit in Nevada.
The decision is just one component of Tesla’s broader plan to build a cheaper, more efficient battery that would ultimately lower the price of its vehicles.
While it’s potentially a promising development for the global lithium market in the long-term, it prompted an immediate sell-off among shareholders in Australian lithium producers.
This led to a substantial drop for many of the big players, including Novonix and Galaxy Resources, with that latter falling 11.6 per cent by the end of trading yesterday.
Nevertheless, shares in Altech Chemicals (ATC) performed well, closing 25.58 per cent in the green for 5.4 cents per share.
