ACTA.L Regulatory News (ACTA)

21 Nov 2005 07:01

Acta S.p.A.21 November 2005 21st November 2005 PRESS RELEASE Acta doubles power output of its catalyst for fuel cells Acta, the world's leading developer of platinum-free catalysts for fuel cells,today announced that is has more than doubled the power output of its catalystfor Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells. This increased level of power output is amongstthe highest reported of any self-breathing room temperature Direct Alcohol FuelCell, whether fuelled by ethanol or methanol. The increase in power, which is from 25mW/cm2 to 55mW/cm2 on an air breathing,room temperature fuel cell, demonstrates that platinum-free HYPERMEC catalystsoffer unrivalled performance compared to other platinum-containing catalysts,yet they can be manufactured for a fraction of the cost. It also demonstratesthat fuel cells powered by ethanol, which is safe and environmentally friendly,can match or exceed the power output of the best reported fuel cells powered bymethanol. Commenting on the announcement, Dr Sean McLoughlin, European Manager, Fuel CellMarkets, an independent company that helps with the commercialisation of fuelcell technologies worldwide, said; "this development is a key milestone for Actaand could deliver significant benefits to the fuel cell industry. Doubling thepower output at room temperature brings the prospect of commercialisation forfuel cells a step closer. Encouragingly, Acta has achieved this doubling oftheir power output in a very short space of time". Commenting on the announcement, Mr Paolo Bert, Chief Executive of Acta, said:"These results are extremely encouraging for all portable fuel cell developers.However, we believe that this is just the beginning. We shall be improving bothour catalyst and our application technology and I am confident that we cancontinue to improve the power output further still". Toby Woolrych, Chief Operating Officer, added: "We have been encouraged by theresponse of the market to HYPERMEC and we are delighted to be able to offer ourcustomers a catalyst which delivers the power they need, together with apractical new fuel. This is another step closer to the commercialisation of fuelcells to the mass consumer market." The catalysts driving the new developments were among the first batches to beproduced at the company's new Lavoria factory near Pisa in Italy, which alreadyhas installed capacity of over 1,000kg per annum: enough to meet the industry'sdevelopment needs. This development with Acta's platinum free catalysts comes ata time of tight market conditions which have recently pushed platinum prices toa 25 year high. Acta is listed on London's Alternative Investment Market ("Acta"). Contact: Acta:Toby Woolrych On the day: 020 7067 0700 Weber Shandwick:Melissa Rowling 020 7067 0700Nick DibdenDominic Furlonge Notes to editors: Fuel Cells Fuel cells are electrochemical devices which generate electricityfrom a fuel (typically hydrogen or methanol in the past) and air producing justwater and sometimes carbon dioxide as exhaust. Fuel cells can be used to replacepower supplies for portable electronic devices as well as the internalcombustion engine and power generators for domestic use. They are widely seen asa solution to the power inefficiency of batteries, long tem limitations infossil fuel supply and to managing the problem of greenhouse gases. Majorelectronics and automotive companies as well as governments are spendingbillions of dollars per annum to make fuel cells a reality in consumer markets. Portable fuel cells Portable fuel cells are those designed to replace lithium-ion batteries for mobile phones, laptops and other portable electronic devices, all of which are increasingly hampered by the limitations of battery life. These fuel cells are generally not powered by hydrogen gas, which is restricted in use and hard to safely store and use, but by a hydrocarbon liquid, typically methanol. Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells (DAFC) These are fuel cells that have been powered by methanol in the past. Methanol is toxic and is usually a fossil fuel derivative. Ethanol, which may replace it is also made from renewable sources, making the fuel cell more environmentally friendly, and is safe and practical to use. Barriers for fuel cell commercialisation Fuel cells have made and continue to make great strides towards commercialisation. Key remaining barriers include the catalysts, which have to date contained costly and scarce platinum, and the need to use methanol, a requirement which is driven by the chemistry of the platinum catalysts. HYPERMEC Catalyst Acta launched in May a platinum-free catalyst called HYPERMEC. HYPERMEC is made from cheap and abundant materials, dramatically lowering the cost of industrialising fuel cells. HYPERMEC also allows the use for the first time of a whole range of hydrocarbon fuels, including ethanol. Acta Acta is an Anglo-Italian company which floated on AIM in October 2005. Acta has recently completed its manufacturing and research facility near Pisa in Italy and is now rolling out its HYPERMEC catalysts to the global market for evaluation. Measurements of power output The power of a fuel cell is often measured by mW (milliwatts) per cm2. The catalyst is one key driver of this power. Power output from a fuel cell will increase with operating temperature, so that room temperature power output may double if the cell is, for example, operated at 40 degrees Celsius. It is therefore important when comparing power output also to compare operating temperatures. Fuel will also affect power output: pure hydrogen systems being more efficient than the DAFC systems. The 55mW/cm2 announced by Acta today is very encouraging for a self-breathing room temperature DAFC system. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange