Altech Batteries has announced a milestone in its Silumina Anodes technology, achieving an average 55 per cent increase in lithium battery anode energy capacity, building on its previous 30 per cent improvement.

Utilising innovative proprietary technology, Altech has blended alumina-coated silicon particles (10 per cent) with battery-grade graphite to create a composite graphite/silicon anode, the company said in an ASX announcement.  

“We are thrilled with the significant progress we have made in overcoming the critical challenges associated with using silicon in lithium-ion battery anodes,” stated CEO and Managing Director Iggy Tan. 

In a series of tests, Altech’s lithium-ion battery anode material demonstrated an average energy retention capacity of approximately 500 mAh/g, surpassing the typical average of 320 mAh/g for standard lithium-ion battery anodes. 

Altech previously reported advancements in battery technology, highlighting the development of lithium-ion battery anode materials with a retention capacity approximately 30 per cent higher than standard materials. 

Following this progress, Altech’s research and development laboratory in Perth, Western Australia, has been working to enhance the technology even further.

Laboratory tests of the composite graphite/silicon batteries revealed that Altech effectively tackled previously unresolved issues associated with silicon in lithium-ion battery anodes.

Notable challenges included silicon particle swelling, first-cycle capacity loss of up to 50 per cent, and rapid battery degradation. 

Through the spherification of silicon particles, Altech found that the spherical structure allows for better distribution within graphite voids, minimizing damage to the electrode layer due to expansion.

Historically, the use of silicon in commercial lithium-ion batteries has been limited due to two critical drawbacks: the expansion of silicon particles during charging and the deactivation of a significant percentage of lithium ions, which diminishes battery performance and lifespan, the company noted. 

Altech has completed a Definitive Feasibility Study for constructing an 8,000 tpa Silumina Anodes plant in Saxony, Germany, projecting strong economic returns with a pre-tax NPV10 of €684 million and a low capital cost of €112 million.

“Our breakthrough technology represents a major step forward in unlocking the full potential of silicon in lithium-ion batteries, and we believe it has the potential to revolutionise the battery industry,” Tan stated.  

“We are currently commissioning a pilot plant to further scale up our technology and bring it to market,” he concluded.

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Altech Batteries has unveiled an opportunity for eligible shareholders to engage in an equity raising initiative through a Share Purchase Plan (SPP), aiming to generate up to $5 million.

The initiative comes hot on the heels of the company’s Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the CERENERGY project, which concluded on 20 March 2024, revealing promising figures including a Net Present Value (NPV) of €169 million and an annual free cash flow of €48 million.

Following the positive outcome of the DFS, Altech said it is progressing towards securing financing for the construction of the CERENERGY battery project, slated to be erected on the company’s property in Germany.

CEO Iggy Tan expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The results of the Definitive Feasibility Study reinforce the economic soundness and potential of our CERENERGY project. We are excited about the positive trajectory and are fully committed to advancing to the funding phase to realise this innovative venture.”

The project’s economic viability remains robust, boasting an EBITDA margin of approximately 47 per cent even at its initial production capacity.

This aligns with the forecasted growth of the grid storage market, projected at an impressive 28 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).

Moreover, the project presents a competitive edge with a low lifetime levelized cost of storage at €0.06/kWh, significantly undercutting the €0.149/kWh for lithium-ion batteries.

Altech is extending the opportunity to all shareholders to participate in the capital raising via an SPP, aimed at facilitating further activities related to the CERENERGY battery project, as well as the Silumina Anodes TM battery materials project.

Notably, participation in the SPP incurs no brokerage, commission, or other transaction costs for shareholders, allowing all funds received by Alltech to be directly allocated towards commercialising its technology.

With an eye on the burgeoning grid storage market, projected to witness substantial growth amidst the global shift towards renewable energy, Altech said it is racing to bring the CERENERGY battery into production.

Shares issued under the SPP will be priced at $0.065 per share, accompanied by one free attaching option for every two shares acquired.

These options will be exercisable at $0.08 per share and will expire on 30 April 2026.

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In the future, homes, cars, and other gadgets might be powered by an experimental ‘proton battery’ developed by RMIT researchers without the environmental challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries’ end-of-life.

The battery, which has been patented by the university, employs a carbon electrode to store hydrogen separated from water and subsequently functions as a hydrogen fuel cell to generate energy, RMIT revealed in a news release. 

Currently, the RMIT team is starting a two-year research cooperation with Eldor Corporation, an Italian-based worldwide automotive component supplier, to develop and prototype this technology. 

RMIT and Eldor have been working on the same technology for the past five years.

Professor John Andrews, the lead researcher, stated that recent design enhancements to their proton battery made it competitive as a carbon-neutral alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

“As the world shifts to intermittent renewable energy to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions, additional storage options that are efficient, cheap, safe and have secure supply chains will be in high demand,” said Andrews, from RMIT’s School of Engineering.

According to the professor, a proton battery also does not pose any environmental problems at the end of its useful life because all of its parts and materials may be repaired, recycled, or used again.

During the experiment, the team successfully used the proton battery to power multiple tiny fans and light for several minutes.

According to Andrews, their most recent battery’s capacity to store 2.2 weight per cent of hydrogen in its carbon electrode was more than twice that of their 2018 prototype and nearly three times that of existing electrochemical hydrogen storage devices.

“Our battery has an energy-per-unit mass already comparable with commercially-available lithium-ion batteries, while being much safer and better for the planet in terms of taking less resources out of the ground,” he said.

Researchers also noted that the RMIT proton battery splits water molecules while charging to produce protons, which bond to a carbon electrode.

Andrews stated that the proton battery avoids the energy-inefficient processes of high-pressure hydrogen gas storage and subsequent fuel cell splitting of these gas molecules.

“Our proton battery has much lower losses than conventional hydrogen systems, making it directly comparable to lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy efficiency,” he remarked. 

According to the professor, the RMIT team is looking forward to further developing this technology in Melbourne and Italy with Eldor Corporation to come up with a prototype battery that has the storage capacity required for a variety of household and commercial applications.

The Journal of Power Sources has published the findings and analysis of the proton battery research conducted by the RMIT team.

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Battery materials and technology company NOVONIX has signed a joint research and development agreement (JDA) with global manufacturer LG Energy Solution for the development of artificial graphite anode material for lithium-ion batteries. 

In a separate deal, LGES is set to buy USD 30 million (AUD 45 million) worth of unsecured convertible notes to be issued by NOVONIX, which will allow the battery maker to own shares in the ASX-listed partner.

Upon successful completion of development work under the JDA, both companies will enter into a separate purchase agreement pursuant to which LGES will have the option to purchase up to 50,000 tons of artificial graphite anode material over a 10-year period from the start of mass production.

The partnership will aid LGES expand its battery manufacturers and strengthen its presence in North America in compliance with the US Inflation Reduction Act that gives subsidies for EVs made with components sourced from the region.

In particular, to solidify its leadership position in the North American market, LGES said it continues to aim to accelerate the localisation of production and assembly of battery components, including electrodes, cells and modules. 

“Our partnership with NOVONIX once again demonstrates LG Energy Solution’s determination to establish a solid battery supply chain in the U.S., complementing our local manufacturing network to meet our customer’s needs for lRA-compliant batteries,” explained Dongsoo Kim, senior vice president of Procurement Centre at LG Energy Solution.

Kim said that as the company collaborates with the Australian manufacturer, NOVONIX will continue its commitment to enhancing product competitiveness and operational excellence, delivering quality products. 

Meanwhile, Chris Burns, CEO of NOVONIX, expressed his excitement to formalise work with LG Energy Solution and establish the path for NOVONIX to become a supplier for LGES of artificial graphite anode material in the United States. 

“This agreement demonstrates our leading position to establish a supply chain for high-performance artificial graphite for the battery industry in North America,” noted Burns.

Since December 2022, LGES and NOVONIX have been in informal discussions to seek this funding and jointly develop an artificial graphite anode material that meets LGES specifications.

 The material will be developed at NOVONIX’s existing facilities in Tennessee. 

After that, mass production is expected to begin in 2026 from the new facility proposed by NOVONIX in the United States. 

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Lithium Australia’s battery recycling subsidiary Envirostream has secured yet another agreement with LG Energy Solution to process a minimum of 250 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries. 

Under the agreement, LG will deliver the batteries to Envirostream’s facilities in Melbourne, where the Australian company will recycle more than 90 per cent of the batteries into its core components. 

As part of the process, recovered steel, copper, aluminium, and critical battery metals will be amalgamated into mixed metal dust, which can be repurposed into new lithium-ion batteries anode and cathode powders. 

The relationship between Envirostream and LG began in 2018 and the Australian company has recycled more than 85 tonnes of LG’s batteries to date. 

The latest agreement enables Envirostream to receive additional LG battery volumes and commence the safe recycling of batteries with immediate effect. 

“LGESshare our aspirations of an ethical and sustainable future for the global battery industry. Making these batteries available to Envirostream for recycling demonstrates LGES’s commitment to our shared vision,” said Andrew Mackenzie, Envirostream’s general manager. 

“Envirostream have been recycling LGESbatteries since 2018 and it is very pleasing to see LGEScommit to Envirostream as its Australian battery recycling partner for these new volumes. We would like to thank LGESand look forward to our continued collaboration.”

The company has reported continued increases in collection volumes since the end of fiscal year 2022. 

It collected nearly 100 tonnes of batteries in July 2022, higher than that of June 2022 and May 2022, which yielded 94 and 90 tonnes, respectively. 

A monthly collection rate of 100t equates to an annualised rate of 1,200 tonnes per annum. 

The Lithium Australia subsidiary is looking to secure similar recycling agreements with other cell and battery manufacturers, according to the company’s statement. 

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WA’s largest nickel producer BHP Nickel West has opened a nickel sulphate plant at its Kwinana nickel refinery, the first of its kind in Australia.

The new plant has already produced the first nickel sulphate crystals and is set to become a significant contributor for global production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

Once fully operational, it will produce 100,000 tonnes of nickel sulphate annually and will create 80 new direct jobs and support 400 new indirect jobs.

According to BHP Nickel West Asset President, Jessica Farrell, the plant will produce enough premium nickel sulphate to make 700,000 electric vehicle batteries each year.

“High quality and sustainable nickel is essential for our customers, and we expect demand for nickel in batteries will increase by 500 per cent in the next decade,” said Ms Farrell.

“Our investment to upgrade the refinery to produce high purity nickel sulphate, along with nickel powder and briquettes, will enhance Nickel West’s position as a supplier of choice for the growing global electric battery market.”

State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook congratulated the company on its milestone.

“Significant economic gains can be achieved for WA by building on our strengths in mining to diversify our activities into other segments of the battery value chain, including more onshore materials processing and manufacturing,” he said.

“BHP Nickel West’s nickel sulphate plant is a significant achievement for our State and bolsters the McGowan Government’s efforts to continue diversifying our local industry towards the next step of the battery value chain,” added Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston.

Video: BHP Youtube channel

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Perth-based Battery anode and advanced materials company Talga Group has extended and expanded the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global technology leader ABB  following successful completion of its Detailed Feasibility Study for its Vittangi Anode Project in Sweden.

Talga is constructing an ultra-low emission battery anode production facility and integrated graphite mining operation in northern Sweden, using 100% renewable electricity to supply greener anode for lithium-ion batteries.

A recent Life Cycle Assessment prepared by Hitachi ABB Power Grids has found that the production process of Talga’s flagship anode product Talnode-C emits 96% less CO2 equivalent than the anode material most commonly used in EV batteries today, which is equal to a reduction of approximately 2.9 million tonnes of CO2-eq per million electric vehicles.

Talga Managing Director Mark Thompson said the company intends to build on these world-leading environmental credentials by electrifying its underground mining operations when it reaches the expansion phase of its Swedish battery anode operations.

He said this electrification strategy would be explored by ABB and Talga under the expanded MoU, focusing on the ABB Ability eMine portfolio of solutions.

“We are very pleased to deepen our relationship with ABB in the development of what will be the largest integrated lithium-ion battery anode production facility in Europe,” Mr Thompson stated.

“The pursuit of innovation towards zero-emission mining is a goal we share with ABB, and we are excited to continue the expanded partnership towards construction of the Vittangi Anode Project and future expansions.”

Björn Jonsson, Hub Division Manager North Europe, Process Industries, ABB said the expanded MoU would also see ABB extend its industrial automation and electrification expertise to include next-level production and process control solutions for Talga’s initial operation.

In addition, Mr Jonsson said, ABB will work with Talga on front-end engineering and design (FEED) for the development and construction of commercial 100,000tpa graphite concentrator operations at Vittangi, a 19,500tpa anode production plant at Luleå and earlier ramp-up stages/production qualification modules.

“Following a detailed planning phase, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Talga on all aspects of the Vittangi Anode Project,” Mr Jonsson noted.

“Now, we can extend our industrial automation and electrification expertise to production and process control solutions, for a successful front-end engineering and design stage.

“Together, we will explore the role of ABB Ability eMine, our portfolio of solutions that will help accelerate the move towards a zero-carbon mine, in Talga’s future expansions.”

According to Talga’s statement, the commercial FEED stages are due for completion June 2022, with the intent to execute binding agreements with ABB for subsequent construction and operations.

Image credit: https://twitter.com/Talga_Ltd 

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Envirostream Australia – a 90% owned subsidiary of Lithium Australia (LIT) – has filed two international patent applications with the Australia Patent Office relating to its recycling process for lithium-ion batteries and ongoing research and development activities targeting value-adds from the downstream processing of critical battery metals.

Named ‘Process for recovering values from batteries’, the first patent application describes a size-selective process for recovering electrode material from lithium-ion batteries, including as a mixed metal material that comprises both cathode and anode powders.

The second patent application is titled ‘Process for recovering values from process liquors’ and describes processes for the selective recovery of mixed metal sulphates – such as a mixed cobalt-nickel sulphate – from a metal sulphate process liquor following leaching of mixed metal material recovered from lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium Australia, whose 100%-owned subsidiary VSPC recently secured Australian patent for the production of nickel- and cobalt-free battery cathode powders, aims to ensure an ethical supply of energy metals to the battery industry by creating a circular battery economy that enhances both sustainability and resource security.

Managing director Adrian Griffin was the company was ‘acutely aware’ of its environmental footprint and that of the society within which we live and operate.

“We can no longer afford to discard any products to landfill, let alone those that have a high embedded energy footprint, contain critical materials, or – in the case of lithium-ion batteries – both,” he continued.

“We have developed unique processes to deal with battery waste and invite like-minded industry participants to work with us in improving the sustainability of our consumer-based society.”

Image credit: https://envirostream.com.au/processing/

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The patent has been granted for the VSPC process entitled ‘Method for making lithium metal phosphates’ and will provide the company with 20 years of intellectual property (IP) protection in Australia.

VSPC has spent 20 years researching and developing its nanotechnology processes and the past 14 years on applying those processes to next-generation cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

Over the past two years, the company has simplified and adapted certain elements of its
proprietary nanotechnology to enable its use of a broader range of raw materials, hence the granting of this patent.

Lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) are both phosphate-based cathode active materials that can be manufactured using VSPC’s patented process, which provides potential for significant reductions in production cost.

Both LFP and LMFP cathode powders outperform nickel-based battery cathode materials in terms of safety, production cost and chemical stability and offer a longer service life.

VSPC, which recently dispatched samples of its LMFP to battery manufacturers in South Korea, Japan and China, is working with Chinese technology company SDL on a staged plan to commercialise production of its LFP cathode products, ideally suited for transport and energy-storage applications.

Video: Lithium Australia

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Australia-based materials and technology company NOVONIX will open its second US manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the former Alstom building.

The $160 million plant will accommodate a planned 8,000+-tonne per year production of high-grade anode material suitable for lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).

NOVONIX’s CEO Chris Burns said the plant’s output will support the lithium-ion battery packs for over 100,000 EVs, bringing the company’s total production capacity of anode materials to 10,000 tonnes per year.

“We are excited to be announcing this next phase of expansion of our anode materials business in Tennessee,” Mr Burns continued.

“Chattanooga has been a great location for our operations over the past four years, and we look forward to growing the company in the expanding south-east hub of electric vehicle battery manufacturing.

‘We look forward to continuing to work with the great people in Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the State of Tennessee as we help establish the domestic supply chain of key materials for the lithium-ion battery sector.”

The new plant is expected to come online by 2023.

Image credit: https://www.novonixgroup.com/

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