US-based lead-acid battery maker Enersys is to invest an additional $100 million to expand its thin plate pure lead (TPPL) capacity.
The company said the increased capital expenditure over the next three years— “combined with an expected 15% increase” from its focus on “lean manufacturing principles”— should increase its proprietary TPPL capacity by more than $500m annually.
Enersys said it also plans to push ahead with its commercialisation of “game-changer” Greenseal bipolar battery technology, under licence from Advanced Battery Concepts (ABC).
Chief technology officer for Enersys Joern Tinnemeyer said: “We’ve worked with ABC for over two years now and are pleased with how this technology has continued to develop and mature. Greenseal technology is delivering on its promise to reduce lead content over traditional batteries, improve battery performance, increase cycle life, reduce weight, increase power density, reduce recharge time and improve reliability.”
“GreenSeal technology and next generation TPPL offers great promise for the continued relevance and viability for lead-acid batteries,” Tinnemeyer said.
Earlier this year, Enersys continued its encroachment into the lithium sector by expanding its range of ‘Nexsys’ motive power batteries.
Enersys has said Nexsys batteries employ advanced TPPL technology “to achieve exceptionally-high performance, energy density and cyclic capability”.
