Lead-acid additives firm Hammond Group has been awarded the 2021 BCI Innovation Award— the second time the US company has scooped the industry title.
The award was presented to Hammond’s for its patent-pending lead silicate innovation, which enables batteries to achieve the benefits of reduced acid stratification without any of the downsides inherent to traditional solutions.
The additive integrates with the lead oxide plate structure significantly increasing surface area.
These “micro-sponges” trap the acid electrolyte and slow its release during charging. By reducing the rate of electrolyte outflow, the acid density gradient is minimised.
Battery Council International (BCI) presents the annual award to celebrate innovation in equipment, processes, services and products that advance the lead battery industry.
The award was established in 2016 to honour industry thought leader, Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz, former CEO of East Penn Manufacturing Co.
The Indiana, US-based company specialises in manufacturing technically-supported battery oxides, read leads, expanders and other specialty chemicals.
Terrence Murphy, chief executive officer of Hammond, said: “Hammond is honoured to again be recognised for its commitment to the lead battery industry and our commitment to enhancing this technology for advanced energy storage.
“We’re committed to this industry as a specialty chemical company and look forward to continuing to work with [the industry] in our combined efforts to continue to improve the most sustainable energy storage technology on the planet — lead batteries.”
Battery Council International received eight submissions for the Innovation Award
Roger Miksad, executive vice president of BCI, said: “We continue to be impressed with the innovations companies are creating to move the lead battery industry forward and we are eager to see the impact these advancements will have.”
Abertax received an honourable mention for their submission.
Hammond first won the inaugural award in 2016 for its innovation and technical breakthrough that improves lead-acid battery charge acceptance and cycle life.
You can read BEST‘s exclusive interview with Terry Murphy HERE
