Leclanché SA / Key word(s): Alliance
10.06.2014 07:02
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leclanché / Saint-Gobain
Joint Press Release
Leclanché and Saint-Gobain announce a joint development agreement to
co-develop and market a new ceramic separator for lithium-ion cells
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States,
June 10th, 2014 - Leclanché S.A. (SIX Swiss Exchange: LECN), specialized in
the production of large-format lithium-ion cells and energy storage
solutions and the Saint-Gobain division specialized in the research,
development, and manufacturing of high-performance material films,
ceramics, slurries, and inorganic material, today announced that they have
entered into a collaboration agreement to co-develop a new ceramic
separator for use in lithium-ion batteries, which if successful, will be
used by Leclanché in its stationary product range and marketed by
Saint-Gobain for use in other lithium-ion cells markets.
A joint collaboration to develop the next generation separator
Leclanché and Saint-Gobain have agreed to a collaboration program, which
aims to develop a new separator material for use in lithium-ion batteries.
Leclanché has already successfully developed and patented a proprietary
ceramic separator that is manufactured by Leclanché in its factory in
Willstaett, Germany, and that is currently incorporated in Leclanché's
lithium-ion titanate cells. The separator is a key element of the cell
construction as it forms a strong barrier between the anode and cathode
materials, the two main active components of a cell. The ceramic structure
of the separator developed by Leclanché is a key safety feature of its
lithium-ion titanate cells.
Under the collaboration agreement, Leclanché will outsource the manufacture
of the existing separator to Saint-Gobain followed by the co-development of
an enhanced separator material leveraging Leclanché's technology and
Saint-Gobain's strong technology platform in polymers and inorganic grains
and powders. The objective is to create a new separator with performance
advantages.
Pierre Blanc, Leclanché's Chief Technical Officer commented: "I am
delighted that we have concluded this joint development agreement with
Saint-Gobain, whose depth and breadth of experience and capability in
polymers and fluoropolymers is world class. Through this program we aim to
develop the next generation separator, consistent with our product road map
to reduce costs and enhance cell performance without compromising safety."
Phil Guy, Saint-Gobain's Business Manager, Performance Plastics, Tapes
commented: "We are very pleased to be working with Leclanché in providing
efficient battery systems for storage of alternative energy sources of
energy such as Solar and Wind. Further, the safety of these systems are
paramount in their design and we are proud to be working on separator
solutions that will improve the efficiency of the system while providing
'peace of mind' to users of these systems. Together, we can help enable a
more sustainable and energy-efficient future."
About Leclanché
Leclanché's strategy is to become one of the leading lithium-ion cell
producers and solution providers for energy storage systems in Europe. Its
strategic priorities are to develop and market energy storage products for
home, industrial markets and grid applications and to grow its existing
businesses of developing portable energy storage systems for military,
medical and industrial applications. It also includes providing a range of
professional energy storage systems to a diversified customer base. Through
participation in research consortia focusing on hybrid and E-mobility
applications, Leclanché is positioned to take advantage of new market
opportunities.
Through a unique, patented ceramic filler polymer separator technology and
focus on lithium-titanate technology (LTO), Leclanché manufactures
large-format lithium-ion cells, optimized for safety and cycle-life, in a
fully automated production process. The newly installed production line
will have an annual capacity of one million cells or 76 MWh.
Leclanché was founded in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains. Through the integration
of a spin-off from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 2006, the company evolved
from a traditional battery manufacturer to become a leading developer and
manufacturer of lithium-ion cells in Europe. Leclanché currently employs
more than 100 staff and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LECN). The
company has its headquarters in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland) and
production facilities in Willstätt (Germany).
For more information about Saint-Gobain, please visit www.leclanche.eu
About Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction markets,
designs, manufactures and distributes building and high-performance
materials, providing innovative solutions to the challenges of growth,
energy efficiency and environmental protection. With 2013 sales of EUR42.0
billion, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and has nearly 190,000
employees.
For more information about Saint-Gobain, please visit www.saint-gobin.ch
Media contacts
Christophe Lamps, Dynamics Group S.A. - Telephone: +41 79 476 26 87,
cla@dynamicsgroup.ch
Regina Decker, Saint-Gobain - Telephone: +49 241 516 2504,
regina.decker@saint-gobain.com
Disclaimer
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to
Leclanché's business, which can be identified by terminology such as
"strategic", "proposes", "to introduce", "will", "planned", "expected",
"commitment", "expects", "set", "preparing", "plans", "estimates", "aims",
"would", "potential", "awaiting", "estimated", "proposal", or similar
expressions, or by expressed or implied discussions regarding the ramp up
of Leclanché's production capacity, potential applications for existing
products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or
potential future sales or earnings of Leclanché or any of its business
units. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such
forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Leclanché regarding
future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. There can be no guarantee that Leclanché's products will
achieve any particular revenue levels. Nor can there be any guarantee that
Leclanché, or any of the business units, will achieve any particular
financial results.
10.06.2014 News transmitted by EQS Schweiz AG.
The issuer is responsible for the contents of the release.
EQS publishes regulatory releases, media releases on the capital
market and press releases.
The EquityStory Group distributes authentic and real-time financial news
for over 1'300 listed companies.
The Swiss news archive can be found at www.equitystory.ch/news
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Language: English
Company: Leclanché SA
Av. des Sports 42
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
Switzerland
Phone: +41 (24) 424 65-00
Fax: +41 (24) 424 65-20
E-mail: investors@leclanche.com
Internet: www.leclanche.com
ISIN: CH0110303119, CH0016271550
Valor: A1CUUB, 812950
Listed: SIX
End of Announcement EQS Group News-Service
---------------------------------------------------------------------------