Altech Batteries (ASX: ATC) shares encouraging update on progress of CERENERGY® battery prototypes - Kalkine Media

Highlights

• ATC has reported excellent progress with two 60 kWh battery pack prototypes.
• For prototype manufacturing, pilot plant at Fraunhofer IKTS has undergone re-design.
• All prototype materials have been procured and cell assembly is over 50% complete.
• Ceramic tube manufacturing is half completed.
• Two battery vacuum casings are undergoing heat loss testing.
• By mid-2024, finalisation of prototypes is expected.

Altech Batteries Limited (ASX: ATC) has welcomed excellent progress on its ABS60 60 kWh CERENERGY^® battery prototypes.

The pilot plant at Fraunhofer IKTS, Germany, has been re-designed to facilitate the manufacturing of 60 kWh battery prototypes. All necessary prototype materials have been obtained from specific suppliers. The Hermsdorf pilot plant facility at Fraunhofer IKTS has successfully navigated the entire production of ceramic tubes, with half of the required tubes now manufactured.

The process of assembling cells, which includes vacuum filling, heating, and welding, is currently in progress.

Altech highlighted that, as of now, 50% of the necessary cells have been produced, indicating significant progress. Reject or defect rates have been within expected and low limits.

Image source: Company update

Advancing production stages

Two casings for the 60 kWh battery houses have been produced and delivered by König Metall GmbH.

Fraunhofer IKTS in Dresden will furnish the testing racks for discharge and charge cycling to evaluate the battery performance. Simultaneously, heat loss parameters of the vacuum-insulated casings are underway. Specialised software has been created to allow access to the parameters that will be furnished by BatteryPack during testing.

After the finalisation of all cells, assembly of cells into the battery housing will be done with completion expected by mid-2024.

Delivery of the battery casing and heat loss testing at Fraunhofer IKTS Dresden

Image source: Company update

The Cell Contacting System (CCS) has been crafted by Hofer AG, a supplier for Altech, along with the initial prototype designs for the 60 kWh prototypes.

Moreover, ATC and Fraunhofer have confirmed all electrical details and tolerances of the CCS, while the electrical isolating material has showed reliable performance.

ATC to deliver prototypes to select potential clients

Upon completion of the prototypes, Altech intends to grant access to the prototypes to its potential customers, to highlight the practical applications and benefits of the ABS60 series in different industries.

Data source: Company update

Shares trade higher

ATC shares jumped ~5.56% to trade at AU$0.057 apiece on 6 February 2024.