Dark Green Innovation: Altech Batteries (ASX:ATC) CERENERGY® Stands Out

Altech Batteries (ASX:ATC) has claimed a top accolade for sustainability, with its CERENERGY® sodium chloride solid-state battery project receiving the prestigious “Dark Green” rating from S&P Global Ratings.

This highest-level accreditation underscores the project’s alignment with long-term environmental goals, making it one of the most sustainable battery technologies in development.

Key Highlights:

• Environmental Excellence: CERENERGY® batteries boast carbon emissions of just 14 kgCO₂/kWh, significantly lower than the 61-106 kgCO₂/kWh range for lithium-ion batteries, according to comparative studies.
• Green Bond Eligibility: The project meets ICMA Green Bond Criteria, enabling Altech to tap into a green finance market valued at nearly USD $250 billion annually.
• Sustainable Materials: The batteries are free from critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, instead utilising sodium, alumina, and recycled nickel derivatives.
• Recyclable and Renewable: The batteries’ entire production process is powered by renewable energy, and recycling is handled through low-energy mechanical methods.

A Green Future for Energy Storage

Sodium-based batteries like CERENERGY® are gaining traction as alternatives to lithium-ion counterparts, especially in stationary storage markets.

Altech Batteries Managing Director, Iggy Tan, highlighted the milestone’s significance:

“The project can now be accessed by investors that participate in the green bond market, the size of which is approaching US$250 billion annually and a large portion of which is present in Europe.

The CERENERGY® project’s green shading score does not affect bond pricing, rather it provides a transparent mechanism by which green bond investors are able to categorise their investment in terms of climate risks and impacts.

We are very proud of achieving this significant milestone.”

Beyond environmental credentials, CERENERGY® batteries are explosion-proof, have a 15-year lifespan, and operate efficiently across extreme temperatures.

The technology is especially suited for industrial microgrids, data centres, and grid storage applications—critical for integrating renewable energy into existing infrastructure.

A Shift in Energy Storage Paradigms

Altech’s partnership with Fraunhofer IKTS in Germany brings significant technical expertise to the table.

Together, they aim to construct a 120 MWh production facility in Saxony to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy storage.

While lithium-ion batteries dominate today’s markets, sodium-based solutions like CERENERGY® are projected to capture around 10% of annual capacity additions by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency’s STEPS scenario.

By reducing reliance on critical minerals and addressing supply chain concerns, Altech positions itself as a front-runner in sustainable battery innovation.

As Tan emphasised, this is “testament to the team’s dedication” to advancing green technology.

The Bigger Picture

Altech Batteries isn’t stopping at CERENERGY®. Its Silumina Anodes™ project, also based in Germany, focuses on next-generation silicon-enhanced lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, further broadening its impact on global energy solutions.

Altech’s push for environmentally friendly and high-performance battery technologies underscores the evolving narrative of sustainability in the energy sector.

With a “Dark Green” rating in hand, the company is well-placed to lead the charge towards a greener, more resilient future.