Australia-based battery technology firm Altech Batteries has received a binding conditional funding approval for a 120MWh sodium-chloride solid-state battery manufacturing facility in Germany.
The €46 million (US$53 million) funding will go towards progressing the construction of Altech’s planned ‘CERENERGY’ battery manufacturing plant in Saxony, and covers around 30% of the eligible investment costs. The plant indents to manufacture battery modules for grid storage solutions with an annual production capacity of 120MWh.
The funds are being provided via the federal STARK programme. STARK is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in cooperation with the EU. It aims to help regions adapt to structural economic change more sustainably.
Altech said its sodium-chloride solid-state battery technology ‘offers a safe, sustainable and strategically independent alternative to lithium-ion batteries and is expected to play an important role in future stationary energy storage solutions – especially for the European market’.
Try Premium for just $1
- Full premium access for the first month at only $1
- Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
- Cancel anytime during the trial period
Premium Benefits
- Expert industry analysis and interviews
- Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
- Exclusive event discounts
Or get the full Premium subscription right away
Or continue reading this article for free
The firm added that the sodium-chloride solid-state tech is fire and explosion-proof, has a life span of more than 15 years and can operate in extreme cold and desert climates, and has no exposure to critical metal prices and supply chain concerns. It appears to be tailored towards long-duration energy storage (LDES) applications.
The battery technology was developed in partnership with research institute Fraunhofer, first announced by the pair in in January 2023. It is based on sodium alumina solid state battery technology developed by Fraunhofer.
At the time Altech Batteries was called Altech Chemicals, and it changed its name the following month to reflect its new focus on the battery sector.
Altech CEO Daniel Raihani said the grant for the manufacturing plant materially de-risks the project’s capital structure and will provide a strong foundation to progress to full project financing. It is targeting that financing by mid-2026.
Altech announced a supply deal with a company that provides energy solutions to NATO in December 2024.
Energy-Storage.news publisher Solar Media is hosting the Energy Storage Summit EU 2026 in London, UK, on 24-25 February 2026 at the InterContinental London – The O2. See the official website for more details, including agenda and speaker lists.
