Altech Chemicals establishes Perth-based lab to advance battery materials coating technology
First battery material samples have arrived at Altech’s new lab with development tests commencing.
Emerging high purity alumina (HPA) producer Altech Chemicals (ASX: ATC) has established its own research and development laboratory in Perth, Western Australia to step up development of its battery materials coating technology.
The facility has been in a commissioning phase since May and is close to being finalised, the company announced today.
The lab will allow Altech to conduct a full range of research, development and test work (including battery tests) to refine its graphite and silicon particle battery materials HPA coating technology “unhindered”.
“Previously, this work was being conducted at Curtin University and needed to be scheduled around laboratory availability, which did not always fit with Altech’s requirements,” the company stated.
Tests commence as first samples of battery materials arrive
The lab was previously occupied by an environmental consulting business and was reportedly “easily converted” to meet the company’s requirements.
It is currently being manned by Altech staff and a part-time consultant that were previously located at an office in Subiaco, plus a casual lab assistant has been engaged.
Altech said the first samples of battery materials have arrived at the lab and various rounds of development tests are commencing.
Another round of half-cell battery performance tests is also planned to further test the performance of graphite and silicon particles that have been coated with alumina using Altech’s proprietary technology.
HPA coating development progress
Altech claims its HPA coating technology can improve lithium-ion battery life, performance, endurance and safety.
Last month, the company announced it had filed an Australian patent to protect the technology.
Altech has also begun a pre-feasibility study for constructing a HPA coating plant in Germany and signed a collaboration with German company SGL Carbon GmbH.
In addition, the company is proposing to construct and operate a 4,500-tonne-per-annum HPA processing plant in Malaysia with feedstock to be shipped from Altech’s 100% owned kaolin deposit in Meckering, WA.