Altech Chemicals Limited (ASX: ATC) has appointed leading German company Leadec Automation & Engineering GmbH as the lead engineer for the Definitive Feasibility Study in relation to its CERENERGY 100MWh Sodium Alumina Solid State Battery project for grid energy storage, to be constructed in Saxony, Germany.
Leadec is a leading global service specialist for factories across their entire life cycle and related infrastructure. For 60 years, the German company has been supporting customers in the manufacturing industries: from planning, installation, and automation of the factories. Leadec has been supporting OEMs and suppliers in the field of battery production and e-mobility for many years.
The company has covered the complete spectrum from cell production, module and pack production to solutions in the area of recycling and battery disassembly. Leadec employs about 20,000 people worldwide and their on-site teams are based at more than 300 locations globally.
On September 14, 2022, Altech announced a JV Agreement with the world-leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS to commercialide Fraunhofer’s revolutionary CERENERGY Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery.
Altech will be the majority owner at 75% of the JV company, which will commercialise a 100 MWh project to be constructed on Altech’s land in Schwarze Pumpe, Germany. Altech Managing Director Iggy Tan said CERENERGY batteries are the game-changing grid storage alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates.
The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns. Leadec have already appointed a highly experienced project team, and site and technology visits to Fraunhofer IKTS have already been completed.
The Leadec team has commenced the engineering work with steady progress, after attending a two-day project workshop in Schwarze Pumpe, facilitated by Managing Director, Iggy Tan.
“We are pleased to appoint Leadec as lead engineer for Altech’s CERENERGY 100MWh project,” Mr Tan said. “Leadec has extensive battery manufacturing experience and will play a key part in advancing the Definitive Feasibility Study to commercialise the CERENERGY Sodium Alumina Solid State Batteries.