Volume 4, No. 3
BCI/JCI Host Meeting with Chinese Officials
The Battery Council International (BCI) recently hosted a briefing for Chinese government officials on battery recycling and related health and safety regulations. The briefing was part of a two week long information gathering mission sponsored by Johnson Controls Inc. Battery Division headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The U.S. and China are currently the two biggest trading entities in the world. The motor vehicle segment is one of the fastest growing portions of the Chinese economy. This reality implies a substantial new demand for lead batteries. "A dialogue between BCI and Chinese companies and regulators will increase mutual understanding to the benefit of both," said Hal Hawk, President of BCI and the Crown Battery Manufacturing Company of Fremont, Ohio. "BCI seeks to share with its Chinese counterparts the lessons BCI's members have learned while at the same time developing an understanding of the unique conditions presented in China."Speaking before the delegation were BCI's President Hal Hawk, Executive VP Maurice Desmarais and BCI's legislative and regulatory counsel, David Weinberg. Among the topics discussed were a history review and development status of used battery manufacturing and recycling, recycling channel flow, quantities and rate, statutes, regulations and standards relating to scrap battery recycling and reutilization. Transportation issues and pollution and environmental protection controls, incentives and programs to encourage recycling were also part of the dialogue.
Included among the 11 member Chinese delegation were the Deputy Directors of the Department of Industry, Division of Vehicle and Shipping, the Deputy Secretary General and Deputy Director and Officials of the EPA of China, the Ministry of Science and Technology and Finance, the China Tax Bureau and four officials from the CATARC China Automotive Technology and Research Center.
Additional meetings with BCI representatives have been scheduled in Beijing with both government, association and the manufacturing community to continue this new dialogue.
Copies of the presentations (in Chinese and English) can be downloaded from BCI's website at: http://www.batterycouncil.org/news.html.
BCI President Testifies Before Ohio Legislature on Proposed Recycling Bill
BCI’s President, Hal Hawk of Crown Battery Company, Fremont Ohio recently testified before the Ohio state legislature on a proposed recycling bill House # 169 that would require the recycling of batteries in the state. The bill is based on BCI’s model legislation which is now in effect in 38 states. Ohio would become the 39th state to adopt such legislation. Click here to read Hal’s testimony.
Lead Forecast
According to Metals Despatch, a publication of the International Lead and Zinc Study group (ILZSG). The current outlook for world and western supply and demand for lead is that:
- Global lead usage is forecast to rise by 4.1% in 2007 to 8.26 million tons.
- Global lead mine production is expected to rise by 10.7% to 3.79 million tons with the most significant rises in China (11.9%) despite the temporary closure of Ivernia’s Magellan mine (Australia -16.4%).
- Global refined lead metal production in 2006 was predicted to increase by 6.1% and an additional 3% in 2007 driven by further anticipated rises in China of 14.8% in 2006 and 4.5% in 2007.Source: Metals Despatch, June 2007
- Members can access the monthly newsletter of the International Lead and Zinc Study groups from the members only section of the BCI website at www.batterycouncil.org.
US Vehicle Statistics
US Vehicles in Operation (2006)
Passenger Cars 135,046,706
Light Trucks 102,038,183
Medium Trucks (Classes 4-6) 3,237,575
Heavy Trucks (Classes 7-8) 5,116,642
Total 245,438,926
Source: R.L. Polk and Co.
US New Car Sales (2006) % of Total
Domestic 5,704,858 70.2%
Imported 2,425,079 29.8%
Total 8,129,937 100%
Source: Automotive News Data Center
EU Commission Prepares for Switch to U.N. Chemical Labeling Framework
The European Commission has announced that it will replace its existing laws on the classification, labeling and packaging of chemicals with new regulations which are in line with United Nations' (U.N.) Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). It is hoped that the new GHS standard, which includes the use of pictograms to indicate the hazard level of a substance, will make European Union (EU) producers more globally competitive. The current EU chemical labeling standard will be replaced by GHS by December 1, 2010 for substances, and by June 1, 2015 for mixtures.
Although the switch to GHS was not included in the June 1 implementation of EU's registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals (REACH) legislation, regulators anticipated implementing the changes once it became more technically mature.
The European Commission's proposals are available at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/ghs_en.htm.Source: NAM 7/07
Around the Industry
Firefly Energy Honored with "Oscar of Invention" for Battery TechnologyPeoria, IL-based Firefly Energy was just named a recipient of an R&D Magazine R&D 100 Award for 2007. Recognized as the "Oscars of Invention" by the Chicago Tribune, the R&D 100 awards are determined by an independent panel of judges who work with the editors of R&D Magazine to identify and select breakthrough technologies.
Firefly Energy's 3D carbon-graphite foam, lead-acid battery is a truly innovative technology. By removing the negative lead plates that are used in today's lead acid batteries and replacing it with the porous, carbon-graphite foam, Firefly has released the high power potential of lead acid chemistry that was impossible with traditional lead-acid batteries.Source: Press Release, 7/11/07
Dolcetta Resigns From FIAMMBCI has learned that Giulio Dolcetta, President of FIAMM has recently resigned from the company. Dolcetta also served on the BCI Board of Directors and resigned that position as well.
U.S. Government Awards Contract to FireflyThe U.S. government has executed a $5 million contract with Peoria, IL based Firefly Energy to fund prototype development of its 3D and 3D2 advanced battery technologies to assist the nation's military defense efforts. The U.S. Army will assess Firefly Energy's carbon-graphite foam prototype batteries in a "Silent Watch" program, which allows the military to perform reconnaissance in ground combat vehicles without being detected by the enemy. Source: ABT 5/07
Johnson Controls-Saft Names CEOJohnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (JCS) of Milwaukee, WI, has named Mary Ann Wright as its chief executive officer. She will be responsible for accelerating the growth and executing the launch of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle battery programs with emphasis on state of the art technology, manufacturing and electronics integration. In addition to leading JCS, Wright will also assume the role of vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls Inc., Hybrid Systems. She will report to Alex Molinaroli, president, Johnson Controls, Power Solutions.Source: ABT 5/07
Doe Run Achieves National Ambient Air Quality Standard for First Quarter 2007The Doe Run Company announced that the area near its Herculaneum, Mo., facility met the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead during the first quarter of 2007, according to data collected by Doe Run from the air monitoring stations located in Herculaneum. Source: Doe Run Press Release 4/07
C&D Technologies Introduces an Expanded Line of Micro ARE Series ChargersC&D Technologies, Inc., Power Systems Division, released the new expanded line of Micro ARE series, ferroresonant float chargers for utility switchgear, industrial plants, offshore, pipeline and telecommunications applications. The Micro ARE series of float rectifiers combines advanced rectifier control, filter circuitry and user friendly operator interface, with field proven ferroresonant rectifier technology. The expanded Micro ARE series is available in 24 V, 48 V and 130 V models.Source: Battery Power & Products Technology, 3/4/07
East Penn Offers New Battery Cleaner SprayEast Penn Manufacturing has recently added a new battery cleaning spray to its extensive line of battery accessory products. This cleaning spray penetrates, loosens, and neutralizes surface acid and corrosion deposits, and has an indicator that shows any residual acid that may remain on the battery surface. When sprayed, the cleaning agent originates as a yellow color. As it detects acid, it leaves a pink-foam indicating where the acid is present. After additional applications, the user knows that the battery is free of acid residue when the spray remains yellow. Battery cleaner spray helps reduce voltage leakage due to impeding contaminants optimizing current flow, performance, and service life. The acid indicating feature provides added safety ensuring that the battery is clean and completely free of any potentially harmful residual acid.Source: East Penn News Release 3/5/07
DOE Requests Information on Early Markets for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
The US Department of Energy (DOE) anticipates announcing a funding opportunity this fall to address “market transformation activities” for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. DOE has identified material handling as a key early market, and intends to offer economic incentives or other types of assistance to accelerate fuel cell commercialization. As part of this market transformation activity, DOE is currently seeking information from the public and from industry stakeholders on ideas for three topics: 1) early market financial assistance, 2) fuel cell performance testing, and 3) community partnerships. Input must be made to DOE by July 31, 2007. For more information, see: http://hydrogen.energy.gov/earlymarkets_rfi.html
Toyota Rejects Lithium Ion for 2008 Prius
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stated that the Toyota Motor Corporation is worried about the safety of lithium-ion battery technology and has decided not to use it for the initial versions of its next generation Prius gasoline-electric hybrid car scheduled for launch in the autumn of 2008. Toyota plans to use more advanced nickel-metal hydride batteries for the Prius launch according to WSJ. Source: WSJ 6/14/07
