Page 44 - ESJ – ENERGY STORAGE JOURNAL

EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES’ CEO TIM VARGO

Vargo says major investments made
globally have and will continue to
increase production capacity, more
important at the moment is customer
delivery.
“The goal of our company is not
to achieve world leadership position
in terms of volume in the battery
business,” he says.
“We want to be the best battery
supplier for our customers and make
sure we are providing them with
what they need. We want to make
sure we are their preferred supplier in
whatever segment we serve.”
And with this premium customer
service must go innovation.
“There is a renewed vision for
Exide to be the quality provider in
the industry, something we have
worked hard to earn back over the
past few years. We are now ready to
take advantage of the opportunity
we see for us to earn a larger piece
of our customers’ battery businesses.
industry by launching its first lithium market for lithium-based batteries, We will do this with innovative, high-
battery for material handling systems, we have had end-of-life management quality and energy efficient products
the GNB Sonnenschein lithium integrated into the development of delivered on time.”
battery, to be used in large distribution our product line. But the approach will differ from
centres, AGVs, hybrid cruise ships and “We have a clear understanding of region to region.
other demanding applications. the end-of-life transport requirements “In Europe, even as we see some
“Following the success of these and have selected our business hybrid and electric vehicles emerging
batteries in Europe, Exide launched partners in light of these requirements. from OEMs, the aftermarket’s main
its GNB LiFTFORCE LPX lithium focus will continue to be on lead
battery in the US in April 2018,” says Recycling efficiencies batteries for many years,” he says.
Vargo. “Its benefits are streamlined “Also, we have designed products in a “European Union environmental
operations, reduced downtime and way that facilitates dismantling them regulations on limiting carbon
lower total cost of ownership than to achieve the best recycling efficiency. emissions and increasing fuel
traditional lead batteries.” “The remaining challenge in lithium economy standards have encouraged
It can charge in just 15 minutes, collection and recycling is recycling the rapid adoption of start-stop AGM
up to eight times faster, and provides efficiency. While reclaiming the content and EFB batteries as well as lithium-
increased cycle life and lower of metals such as copper, aluminium, based energy solutions in automotive,
maintenance requirements in forklifts steel and cobalt is well established, the industrial motive and stationary
and AGVs. It is suitable for large recovery of the lithium content (about energy storage applications. These
distribution centres and companies 1%-2% w/w) is still a technological environmental trends and the market
that run heavy-duty or multiple shifts and economical challenge. demand for those types of batteries
looking to lower their operational “This is addressed in multiple have developed later in the US.”
costs. ways. On one hand our business When it comes to the different
“In terms of the future, we clearly partners in the recycling industries are sectors in which Exide operates,
see a role for lithium-ion because of addressing this, and on the other we the company is keen to expand its
all the advantages these batteries see public-funded programmes (eg the capabilities.
offer,” says Vargo. “But lithium is just Strategic Action Plan for Batteries of Last June, the company bought Aker
part of our portfolio. Our battery the European Commission) that can Wade — a charging, software and
portfolio will continue to include both improve the sustainability of battery telemetry firm — whose purchase was
lead acid and lithium ion options. The systems. made with the intention of growing
focus is always on the customer and “It makes no difference whether Exide’s motive power business
the economics driving the decision.” we talk about lithium or lead-based worldwide, Vargo says.
As its lithium battery business grows, batteries, At the end of the useful “Exide offers a battery portfolio with
Exide is going to have to consider the life, all batteries are collected and a solution for every application using
recycling implications, especially since processed for the recovery of the a variety of technologies including flat
environmental concerns are one of its materials used.” plate, tubular and lithium. Adding
three key focuses. Vargo believes that commercial the Aker Wade capabilities to this
“For our lithium products, we are success is inextricably linked portfolio will allow us to be more
exclusively working with external with quality delivery— and that’s competitive in applications that
business partners,” says Vargo. “From irrespective of battery chemistry or require advanced lead and lithium ion
the beginning of Exide’s entry to the technology. batteries,” he says.

42 • Energy Storage Journal • Summer 2019 www.energystoragejournal.com