Highlights
- The Silumina AnodesTM project output has increased eight times, from 15 GWh to 120 GWh.
- The plant is proposed to produce 8,000 tpa alumina-coated metallurgical silicon only.
- Increased output to meet silicon anode demand in long-term.
Altech Batteries Limited (ASX: ATC, FRA: A3Y) informed that the Silumina AnodesTM Project Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) has an exciting development with the project output expanding eightfold during the DFS finalisation stage. The capacity of the project has increased to 120 GWh (gigawatt-hours) from 15 GWh, with similar plant and equipment costs.
Altech will focus on producing 8,000 tpa of alumina-coated metallurgical silicon product from its proposed plant.
Data Source: Company update
The product is expected to be blended by customers with their uncoated graphite source within their battery plants instead at Altech’s facility. As a result of this increase in production of the ‘active’ component, the output has expanded by 8x to 120 GWh.
Presently, ATC is in discussions with Ferroglobe, the Company’s European silicon partner, to increase the metallurgical silicon supply for the enhanced Silumina AnodesTM project. In addition, non-disclosure agreements have been executed with automotive conglomerates in the US and Europe that have shown interest in buying commercial samples for their qualification and testing purposes.
The production capacity of R&D laboratory in Perth is limited, so the company would procure the larger samples from the pilot plant in Saxony which is expected to be operational by early 2024, informed ATC.
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The Company shared that the feedback from potential customers indicated that they prioritise using their existing qualified graphite source. Though using alumina-coated graphite offers a marginal advantage, the primary appeal for potential customers lies in integrating Altech-coated silicon into their battery products.
Coating graphite with alumina offers certain benefits such as reducing the first-cycle loss. Despite such benefits, research has shown that the cost-to-reward ratio for graphite is comparatively low.
Data Source: Company update
The substantial output increase is a notable advancement in the company’s business strategy. The enhanced business model indicates a positive outlook for the company's future endeavours, says ATC.
ATC shares jump
ATC shares jumped 8.97% to trade at AU$0.079 apiece on 14 November 2023.