Nio, Altech Advanced Materials, Rheinmetall - Still on trend

Altech Advanced Materials - Race for the super battery

The switch from the internal combustion engine to the electric car has been approved by politicians for some time now. The most critical component of the car of the future is the required battery. For years, a fierce battle has been going on to see who can develop the most efficient and longest-lasting energy source. Altech Advanced Materials, based in Heidelberg, Germany, is at the forefront of this race and could make its mark in the future with two innovations.

Altech Advanced Materials is in a huge growth market. The global market for battery storage systems is expected to rise from USD 4.4 billion in 2022 to USD 15.1 billion in 2027. In the longer term, it is expected to grow from 20 GW in 2020 to over 3,000 GW in 2050. The advantages of the innovation, which is the result of a joint venture with the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, are impressive. Compared to the current standard lithium-ion battery, CERENERGY batteries are non-flammable and, therefore, fire- and explosion-proof. The battery technology requires only common salt and a small amount of nickel, but neither lithium, which is already in short supply, nor cobalt, graphite or copper. In addition, the production costs of CERENERGY batteries are about 40% lower than those of lithium-ion batteries, according to the Fraunhofer Institute. In the future, production of the miracle battery will occur in Saxony, or more precisely, in Schwarze Pumpe. The goal of the first line is an annual output of 100 MWh.

In addition to CERENERGY, the Heidelberg-based company is conducting research with its Australian partner Altech Chemicals Ltd. on a novel nanocoating of high-purity aluminum oxide and an enrichment of silicon that increases battery performance by 15% and extends battery life by 30%. In addition, further research showed that by increasing the silicon content in Silumina Anodes, performance could be doubled.

Altech Advanced Materials' market capitalization is currently EUR 27.06 million. Should one of the two innovations find its way into the mass market, this valuation should quickly become a thing of the past. It is also interesting to take a closer look at Altech Chemicals, with a market capitalization of EUR 66.42 million. After all, the Company from Down Under owns a 75% share in the Silumina Anodes project and the absolute majority in the CERENERGY joint venture with 56.25%.

Nio - Forecast cashed

Particular supply and production challenges and ongoing supply chain issues prompted management at the Chinese electric car maker to lower its delivery expectations for the fourth quarter of 2022. Despite record sales of more than 31,000 e-vehicles in the third quarter, Nio has struggled with ongoing supply chain disruptions caused by China's "Zero-COVID" restrictions. The Company added that it now expects 38,500 to 39,500 deliveries in the fourth quarter, down from its previous forecast of 43,000 to 48,000. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, the increase in shipments would still be around 50%, even under a worst-case scenario.

Despite the forecast cut, US investment bank Morgan Stanley remains positive on the Chinese automaker. The analysts continue to rate the stock as "overweight", with a price target of USD 16.10.

From a chart perspective, however, the situation remains threatening. In the event of a sustained slide below the support at USD 9.67, the yearly low at USD 8.38 is again threatened. Over the year, the stock has already lost around 68% of its value.

Rheinmetall - Largest single order ex-armaments

The supplier to the German armed forces has made a name for itself not only in the armaments sector but also in the automotive business. This time, however, a big order came from a completely different sector. The volume amounts to EUR 770 million and is the largest single order Rheinmetall's non-military division has ever received outside the classic automotive business.

The industrial customer has ordered a refrigerant compressor model with DC electronics, for which a long-term supply contract has been concluded, the Düsseldorf-based company announced. The compressor type is similar in design to those used in motor vehicles.

At EUR 193.25, the defense group is trading just below the downward trend it formed at the end of June. If the EUR 200.50 mark is broken, the Company is likely to make another attempt to reach its all-time high of EUR 227.90. The share is currently receiving a tailwind from the indicators. Both RSI and MACD are close to generating new buy signals.

The 2022 trends should continue to gain momentum in the new year. At the same time, the electric carmakers look battered from a chart perspective. Rheinmetall, on the other hand, could shoot up to new heights. In the long-term, the technology of Altech Advanced Materials could become a game-changer in the battery market.