Altech Batteries (ASX: ATC) brought its first Cerenergy ABS60 battery online during the September quarter after passing all physical tests with flying colours.

The prototype was installed at the German laboratory of joint venture partner Fraunhofer IKTS and integrated into a specially designed battery test station.

The setup enables continuous daily charging and discharging cycles to assess the battery’s efficiency, stability and overall performance under real-world conditions.

Efficient performance

Managing director Iggy Tan said the battery had surpassed early expectations, showing exceptional efficiency and robust performance across all key metrics.

“This reconfirms our confidence in the sodium-chloride solid-state battery technology developed by Fraunhofer,” he said.

“The battery is now being demonstrated under real-world conditions and the data collected will be valuable as we push forward with sales and finance to build our battery production plant in Saxony.”

Promising results

The results of Cerenergy’s initial testing were labelled “extremely promising”.

The battery maintained strong thermal stability — a crucial factor in high-capacity energy storage systems — and operated within safe temperature limits with no signs of overheating.

Mr Tan said early findings confirmed the battery’s design integrity and bolstered confidence in its commercial viability.

The battery is expected to undergo further testing and refinement to provide critical information for potential offtake partners.

Offtake agreement

In September, Altech signed its first strategic offtake agreement with German organisation Zweckverband Industriepark Schwarze Pumpe (ZISP).

The deal will see ZISP purchase an annual 30 megawatt-hours of energy storage capacity, consisting of 1MWh GridPacks, for the first five years of production from 2027.

The companies will also work together to convert the Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park, where the battery plant will be located, from coal to renewable energy.

Capital raising

An $8.5 million pro-rata entitlement offer and share placement in August raised sufficient funds to further progress the Cerenergy project.

Altech issued up to 223 million ordinary shares at $0.04 each to eligible shareholders, plus one free attaching option for every two shares held, priced at $0.06 with a December 2025 expiry.

The entitlement offer was partially underwritten for $5m (or 125 million shares) by existing shareholder MAA Group Berhad, an entity related to Altech director Tunku Yaacob Khyra.