Close menu




October 25th, 2024 | 07:00 CEST

Altech Advanced Materials, McDonald's, Volkswagen - Innovation and crisis resilience open up lucrative investment opportunities

  • Batteries
  • Electromobility
  • Technology
  • Innovations
  • Food
Photo credits: McDonald's

In the current economic situation, investors are presented with promising opportunities in companies that stand out due to their innovative strength and skilful crisis management. Particularly attractive are companies that invest countercyclically in research and development and thus emerge from crises stronger than before. Altech Advanced Materials, with its innovative battery technology, shows how companies can tap into new market opportunities through research and development. McDonald's, on the other hand, is struggling with a food safety issue that requires rapid crisis management to restore consumer confidence. Volkswagen has to deal with the consequences of a personnel scandal in its most important foreign market, China. We take a look at the details.

time to read: 4 minutes | Author: Juliane Zielonka
ISIN: VOLKSWAGEN AG VZO O.N. | DE0007664039 , Altech Advanced Materials AG | DE000A31C3Y4 , MCDONALDS CORP. DL-_01 | US5801351017

Table of contents:


    Uwe Ahrens, Direktor, Altech Advanced Materials AG
    "[...] Silumina Anodes® is a ceramic-coated graphite/silicon anode composite material that we plan to produce in Schwarze Pumpe, Saxony. Here, we aim to supply manufacturers of batteries for e-cars with an application-ready drop-in technology that is low-cost, high-performance and safe. [...]" Uwe Ahrens, Direktor, Altech Advanced Materials AG

    Full interview

     

    Altech develops promising 60 kWh sodium chloride battery prototype

    Altech Advanced Materials AG has made a significant breakthrough in battery technology. The Company has successfully developed and commissioned a 60 kWh battery prototype that uses common salt and does not rely on critical raw materials. The prototype, known as CERENERGY®, is based on the sodium chloride solid-state battery technology developed by the Fraunhofer Institute and exhibits remarkable properties. These include an extensive operating temperature range, a lifespan of 15 years – about twice as long as conventional lithium-ion batteries – and excellent thermal stability.

    The prototype is currently being tested for efficiency, stability and overall performance under real-world conditions in the test laboratory of joint venture partner Fraunhofer IKTS. The initial results are extremely promising. With stable performance over more than 500 cycles and a consistent discharge capacity of 80 Ah at an efficiency of up to 91%.

    In light of the energy transition and the electrification of industry, the potential for salt-ceramic batteries is considerable. Altech Advanced Materials plans to build a 120 MWh production plant with estimated investment costs of EUR 156 million in the Schwarze Pumpe industrial area in Saxony. The operators of the industrial area have signed a letter of intent for an annual purchase of 30 MWh over 5 years.** This puts Altech at the forefront of advanced battery technology, which is ready for industrial use.

    McDonald's struggles with E. coli outbreak: Share price under pressure, Trump visit intensifies debate

    A severe E. coli outbreak at McDonald's has caused a stir in the US. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 49 cases of illness in ten states, including one death in Colorado. The outbreak, which began in late September, has been linked to the popular "Quarter Pounder" burger, whose ingredients are now being examined, particularly fresh onions and ground beef. As a result of these events, the McDonald's share price fell by more than 6% at times in after-hours trading.

    Amid this crisis, Donald Trump also came under fire. The Republican presidential candidate recently prepared burgers at a McDonald's restaurant, thereby launching a high-profile PR campaign. Trump's appearance led to numerous negative online reviews and intensified the public discussion about hygiene and safety at fast food chains. According to surveys, this popular campaign has given him a lead over his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris.

    Despite the current challenges, McDonald's has the potential to recover. The incident is a classic event that has a short-term impact on the share price but does not necessarily mean long-term damage to the brand. The Company has already taken measures to remove the affected products from sale and to ensure the safety of its food.

    VW Executive in China arrested and deported for drug use

    The high-ranking Volkswagen executive in China, Jochen Sengpiehl, tested positive for drugs at Beijing Airport upon his return from a vacation in Thailand. The 56-year-old marketing and product development manager had both cannabis and cocaine residues in his blood. In China, any drug use, even if it occurs abroad, is severely punished.

    After testing positive, Sengpiehl was held in custody for 10 days and then expelled from the country. The incident has caused a stir in the German expat community in China.

    Volkswagen itself has not yet commented on the case, citing labor and data protection reasons. Sengpiehl had been working for Volkswagen since August 2022, tasked with making electric models more attractive to younger car buyers.

    The incident comes at an inopportune moment for Volkswagen, as the group is already facing significant challenges in China, its most important single market. In the third quarter, sales in the Chinese market fell by 10% compared to the previous year. In addition, the Company is facing criticism over its plant in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang, as it is accused of profiting from alleged forced labor.

    The Sengpiehl case raises questions about possible political implications. In the past, arrests of foreign business people in China have occasionally been used as leverage, further complicating the situation.


    Altech's development of the CERENERGY® battery demonstrates that companies that invest in future-oriented technologies have considerable potential. The Company has made significant progress with its salt-ceramic battery prototype. With a planned production plant in Saxony and a declaration of intent for the purchase of 30 MWh annually over 5 years, Altech Advanced Materials is positioning itself at the forefront of advanced battery technology. McDonald's rapid response to the E. coli outbreak highlights the importance of efficient crisis management. Companies that communicate transparently and act quickly can maintain the trust of consumers and investors. The restaurant chain's fundamentals remain unchanged as a result of the incident. Volkswagen is facing a scandal in China after a high-ranking executive was expelled for drug use. The incident comes at an inopportune moment for VW, as the Company is already struggling with challenges in the Chinese market, including falling sales and criticism of a plant in Xinjiang. VW must now not only deal with the internal consequences of this incident but also rethink its strategy in the crucial Chinese market. For investors, this presents attractive opportunities in companies that impress with innovative technologies, effective crisis management and the development of new markets.


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies in the future or may bet on rising or falling prices and thus a conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the right to buy or sell shares or other financial instruments of the Company at any time (hereinafter each a "Transaction"). Transactions may, under certain circumstances, influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.

    In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.

    For this reason, there is a concrete conflict of interest.

    The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.

    Risk notice

    Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news.financial. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

    The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user.

    The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use.


    Der Autor

    Juliane Zielonka

    Born in Bielefeld, she studied German, English and psychology. The emergence of the Internet in the early '90s led her from university to training in graphic design and marketing communications. After years of agency work in corporate branding, she switched to publishing and learned her editorial craft at Hubert Burda Media.

    About the author



    Related comments:

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on November 12th, 2024 | 08:00 CET

    Traffic light disaster brings new opportunities for e-mobility: VW, BMW, ARI Motors, BYD and NIO

    • Electromobility
    • renewableenergies
    • Growth

    The traffic light coalition has broken down – so right before left applies! In addition to the Berlin disaster, a relentless struggle has long since broken out in the automotive market. Habeck, for example, wants to get the environmental subsidy back in 2025 due to a sharp drop in electric vehicle sales, while important market shares of German industry have long since been lost. Germany is making only hesitant progress in the area of energy transition, while nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance worldwide. Fortunately, innovative concepts are repeatedly emerging from medium-sized companies, driving Germany forward as a business location. With a new, forward-looking industrial policy, Germany could regain its leading position. For dynamic investors, this is an explosive environment with extraordinary opportunities for high returns.

    Read

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on November 11th, 2024 | 07:00 CET

    Traffic light madness! The turnaround at BASF, Altech Advanced Materials, Nordex and Siemens Energy

    • Batteries
    • BatteryMetals
    • renewableenergies
    • chemicals
    • Energy

    The traffic light coalition departs – and the economy breathes a sigh of relief. Key future topics such as the energy transition, e-mobility and the energy storage market now have good prospects. With a redefinition of industrial policy in Germany, confidence is returning to small and medium-sized companies. With a constant stream of new regulations, high energy costs and excessive bureaucracy, the failed coalition had many things in mind – but not the economic well-being of Germany. A murmur is going through the fragile industrial complexes with the announced new election. We expect a surge of innovative ideas, especially in the areas of energy security and mobility. Check your portfolio!

    Read

    Commented by André Will-Laudien on November 7th, 2024 | 07:45 CET

    Trump triumphs! What happens now with gold, e-mobility and green tech? BYD, VW, Thunder Gold, Nel, and Plug Power in focus

    • Mining
    • Gold
    • Electromobility
    • Defense
    • renewableenergies

    The US election is over. Donald Trump is moving back into the White House. Along with a tougher stance on China, conservative voters in the US are hoping for a greater focus on their own country. America needs a complete renewal of its infrastructure and will push ahead with armaments, so commodities of all kinds will come into focus. For Europe, the degree of responsibility for its own affairs will increase significantly, and the development of stable supply chains is imperative. Trump supports Bitcoin, so gold may have to give up some of its recent gains. What are the yield or loss drivers for investors now? After the election, investors should separate the wheat from the chaff to ensure their portfolios are properly positioned.

    Read