How Altech’s AMPower Deal Fast-Tracks Sodium Nickel Battery Sales Globally
Altech Batteries has partnered with AMPower to immediately market and distribute sodium nickel chloride batteries across Europe, Australia, and the USA, fast-tracking revenue ahead of its large-scale CERENERGY project in Germany.
- Strategic collaboration with AMPower for sodium nickel chloride battery production and distribution
- Immediate market entry in Europe, Australia, and USA with Altech-branded UPS and energy storage batteries
- AMPower manufactures batteries under Altech’s specifications, protecting proprietary CERENERGY technology
- Partnership supports Altech’s CERENERGY 120 MWh grid-scale battery project in Germany
- Sodium nickel chloride batteries offer fireproof, long-life, and extreme temperature performance advantages
Strategic Collaboration Unlocks Early Market Access
Altech Batteries Limited (ASX, ATC) has taken a decisive step to accelerate its commercial presence in the energy storage sector by entering a strategic collaboration with AMPower, a subsidiary of the Chinese Chilwee Group. This partnership enables Altech to immediately sell sodium nickel chloride (SNC) batteries across key markets in Europe, Australia, and the United States, leveraging AMPower's established manufacturing capabilities.
AMPower, known for producing conventional Zebra-type sodium nickel chloride batteries primarily for Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) applications, will now manufacture battery packs under Altech’s brand and specifications. This arrangement allows Altech to fast-track revenue generation and build brand recognition while safeguarding its proprietary CERENERGY cell technology, which remains confidential and separate from AMPower’s technology.
Bridging UPS and Grid-Scale Energy Storage
The collaboration unfolds in two phases. Initially, AMPower will produce UPS batteries branded by Altech, targeting industrial and commercial customers who require reliable, fireproof, and maintenance-free energy storage solutions. These batteries are notable for their ability to remain fully charged and ready for over a decade without replacement, a significant advantage over traditional lead-acid or lithium-ion alternatives.
Subsequently, the partnership will extend to small and medium-sized battery energy storage systems (BESS) for household, industrial, and grid-scale applications. AMPower’s current production capacity of approximately 100 MWh per year, with scalability to 200 MWh, will support this expansion. Both companies will co-develop these BESS products, each retaining rights to distribute under their own brands, further broadening market reach.
Complementing the CERENERGY Project in Germany
While this collaboration accelerates Altech’s market entry and cash flow, it strategically complements rather than competes with Altech’s flagship CERENERGY 120 MWh battery project in Saxony, Germany. The CERENERGY technology represents a next-generation sodium nickel chloride battery with a novel tubular design that significantly improves energy density, thermal management, and manufacturing efficiency.
Altech has already secured preliminary funding approval of 46.7 million euros from the German government for this project, which aims to deliver large-scale, grid-ready energy storage solutions. The hands-on experience gained through the AMPower partnership in battery assembly and system integration is expected to inform and optimize the CERENERGY product development.
Safety and Sustainability Advantages
Altech’s sodium nickel chloride batteries offer compelling benefits over lithium-ion technology, including inherent fireproof characteristics, stable operation in extreme temperatures, and a longer operational lifespan exceeding 15 years. These features address growing concerns about battery safety, especially in sensitive environments such as data centers and AI facilities where fire risks are critical.
Moreover, the technology is free from lithium, cobalt, graphite, and copper, reducing exposure to volatile raw material markets and supply chain constraints. This positions Altech’s batteries as an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative in the evolving energy storage landscape.
Looking Ahead
By leveraging AMPower’s manufacturing scale and Altech’s advanced technology and market strategy, the collaboration aims to establish a robust commercial footprint in multiple regions. This early market presence is expected to build customer confidence and brand credibility, setting the stage for Altech’s transition to full-scale production of its CERENERGY batteries.
Bottom Line?
Altech’s partnership with AMPower marks a pivotal move to commercialize safer, sustainable battery technology while paving the way for its ambitious grid-scale ambitions.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will Altech scale production volumes and revenue from the AMPower collaboration?
- What are the detailed financial terms and margin implications of this manufacturing and distribution agreement?
- How will competing battery technologies respond to Altech’s growing presence in the sodium nickel chloride market?