The silicon company is a leading producer of silicon metal with a proven ability to create new solutions and applications using state-of-the-art technology to drive innovation. It has technologies to produce high purity grade silicon with the flexibility to offer customised solutions to meet the increasing demands being placed on silicon from new applications such as the Li-ion battery; and is specifically developing tailor made silicon powders for the anode of Li-ion batteries. Alumina coating of silicon particles have the potential to solve the three major issues for silicon application in the Li-ion battery: expansion induce fragmentation, poor cyclability; and low initial Coulombic Efficiency (CE). A combination of the competencies and technologies of both companies offers tremendous potential and a potentially compelling solution for the industry.
At the recent battery day, electric car company,
- Intrinsic volume changes of 300% or more during battery charge and discharge, leads to poor cyclability performance;
- Unstable formation of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) due to interaction between Si surface and electrolyte.
- Low Initial Coulombic Efficiency (CE), that is, high capacity loss on first battery cycle.
Altech is developing Anode Grade HPA and coating technology for the purpose of applying the coating to graphite particles that are typical of those currently used in the anode of the Li-ion battery. Both companies believe that the same technology can be applied to Silicon Co's Li-ion battery silicon powders.
Under the collaboration agreement, both companies will analyse the possibility of using Altech's HPA and technology to coat specifically designed silicon particles supplied by the silicon company. Altech will supply the coating technology and sole fund the test work.
Key terms of the agreement
Parties:
Term: 1 year
Termination: 30 days notice
Development Costs:
About
HPA is a high-value, high margin and highly demanded product as it is the critical ingredient required for the production of synthetic sapphire. Synthetic sapphire is used in the manufacture of substrates for LED lights, semiconductor wafers used in the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass used for wristwatch faces, optical windows and smartphone components. Increasingly HPA is used by lithium-ion battery manufacturers as the coating on the battery's separator, which improves performance, longevity and safety of the battery. With global HPA demand approximately 19,000t (2018), it is estimated that this demand will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% (2018-2028); by 2028 HPA market demand will be approximately 272,000t, driven by the increasing adoption of LEDs worldwide as well as the demand for HPA by lithium-ion battery manufacturers to serve the surging electric vehicle market.
Contact:
Corporate
Managing Director
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechchemicals.com
Company Secretary
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechchemicals.com
Investor Relations (
Tel: +49-69-175-548320
Email: hoffmann@soarfinancial.com
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