Altech Chemicals has attained a “Medium Green” rating for its proposed battery materials coating plant in Germany from independent Norwegian outfit, the Centre of International Climate and Environmental Research, or “CICERO”. A medium green classification potentially qualifies the plant as suitable for future financing through green bonds – a type of fixed-income instrument specifically earmarked to raise capital for projects that generate climate and environmental benefits.
Altech’s 75 per cent owned subsidiary, Altech Industries Germany, or “AIG”, is currently undertaking a pre-feasibility study, or “PFS”, on the proposed 10,000 tonne per annum high-purity alumina, or “HPA”, coating plant in the German state of Saxony.
The plant is being designed to operate in accordance with German, European and international environmental standards and with a focus on minimising environmental impact, according to Altech.
By implementing Altech’s proprietary technology, AIG seeks to apply HPA coatings to precursor battery anode materials in the plant to create products for use in the rampant lithium-ion battery industry being fuelled by the electrification of the global economy.
Altech says CICERO’s positive evaluation of the proposed plant has now confirmed the project to be suitable for future green bond financing.
CICERO noted that the planned processes of the plant are designed to be entirely electrified by using renewable electricity from on-site solar panels and renewable energy certificates.
Altech recently made a breakthrough in utilising silicon in lithium-ion batteries by successfully applying its coating technology to produce a series of lithium-ion battery anode materials with a 30 per cent higher retention capacity than traditional anode materials containing graphite only.
The company combined silicon particles, treated with its coating technology, with regular battery grade graphite to produce a lithium-ion battery electrode containing a composite graphite-silicon anode.
CICERO’s carbon dioxide footprint evaluation of AIG’s proposed plant concluded that five per cent coated silicon anode material could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 19 per cent, when compared with traditional graphite only anodes. When 20 per cent coated silicon is applied the reduction could reach 52 per cent, according to Altech.
Altech Chemicals Managing Director, Iggy Tan said:“CICERO’s independent assessment of AIG’s proposed battery materials coating plant, and its suitability for possible future green bond financing, is an important inclusion for the current preliminary feasibility study – and it certainly adds credibility to this proposed project. The PFS continues to progress, and Altech anticipates that the results will be available to it during the first quarter of 2022.”
Altech aims to fully commercialise its battery materials coating technology at its plant in Germany that can now also boast green credentials qualifying it for a greater future funding opportunities. It also seems to bring Altech in line with international environmental standards and a modern day focus on minimising carbon dioxide emissions.
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By Matt Birney
