Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC) has partnered with the Centre of International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO) to prove the environmental credentials of its CERENERGY® battery project.
CICERO is renowned for its expertise in providing independent evaluations for green credentials, particularly within the green bond market. The company has sought CICERO's accreditation in the past, for its Silumina Anodes project, which received a ‘Light Green’ rating.
Managing director Iggy Tan said: “There is clearly an environmental advantage of the CERENERGY® battery and proposed factory.
"Considering the GHG footprint evaluation conducted by independent groups, we anticipated from the outset that our batteries would be classified as 'green batteries'.
"We are currently in the official accreditation process."
Focus on sustainable energy storage
The move reflects the company’s focus on sustainable energy storage solutions and its aspiration to be at the forefront of environmentally friendly battery technology.
As the global energy sector moves towards renewables, efficient energy storage systems have become crucial. Altech is focusing its efforts on the grid storage battery market, exclusively targeting this sector with its innovative Sodium-Chloride Solid State CERENERGY batteries.
With the CERENERGY battery offering significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the use of renewable power and an integrated recycling facility, Altech Batteries Limited hopes to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and sustainability, and to appeal to socially and environmentally conscious investors.
A recent study conducted by the Sustainable Technologies Laboratory at Bochum University of Applied Sciences compared the environmental impact of different battery types.
The results revealed that CERENERGY batteries – which use sodium chloride and nickel – exhibit a greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint at least 50% lower than lithium-ion batteries, thanks to the absence of critical metals associated with high GHG emissions.
Plant minimises footprint
Altech's commitment to sustainability extends to its planned CERENERGY battery plant in Saxony, which will rely on renewable energy sources and incorporate on-site power generation through photovoltaic panels and energy storage capabilities.
The plant has been designed to minimise its greenhouse gas footprint by using renewable power for processes like sintering ceramic tubes and avoiding the use of natural gas entirely.
Altech has also taken a proactive approach to recycling by integrating a recycling facility within the plant. This distinguishes the company from many lithium-ion battery producers that rely on third-party companies for recycling.
The recycling unit will efficiently extract and recycle various battery components, ensuring proper disposal and minimising waste and environmental impact.
Transparent ESG reporting
Recognising the importance of transparent reporting, Altech has initiated an ESG reporting program aligned with the World Economic Forum's Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics ESG Framework.
The company aims to showcase its sustainability efforts and initiatives to stakeholders and attract socially and environmentally conscious investors.
The first ESG report is scheduled to be issued in the next quarter.