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Technology Stocks : Energy Conversion Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Don Devlin who wrote (3906)	8/4/1999 12:11:00 PM
From: Tom Hoff	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8393

Industry fights to avert rechargeable battery ban BRUSSELS, Aug 4 (Reuters) - The cadmium industry said on Wednesday it is preparing a voluntary agreement on recycling rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries to head off European Commission plans for a total ban. Outgoing EU Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard is pushing for a total ban on nickel-cadmium batteries by 2008, as part of a drive to reduce the amount of cadmium entering the environment. The heavy metal has been linked to a number of serious health problems, including kidney disease. But the International Cadmium Association (ICDA) says there are no reliable alternatives to the technology. A ban is totally unjustified on health grounds and will not end the production of cadmium, a by-product of the non-ferrous metals industry, it says. "For many uses, there is simply no alternative. What about the widespread use of nickel-cadmium batteries in aircraft where safety is of paramount importance," said ICDA executive director Raymond Sempels. "Industry is ready to develop a voluntary plan to recycle these batteries and set up a fund to finance the programme," he added. The target is 75 percent recycling by around 2004. Nickel cadmium batteries are used in a wide range of applications, from small domestic batteries through to high power tools and emergency lighting in aircraft. While lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride batteries can be used as alternatives in some cases, nickel-cadmium cannot always be replaced and is cheaper, Sempels said. According to ICDA, which represents cadmium producers, battery and equipment manufacturers plus recyclers, batteries account for just one percent of cadmium in the environment. It estimates there are 10,000 tonnes of batteries in Europe, with an average cadmium content of six percent. "There are no risks at the levels we have today," Sempels said. "Thanks to industry initiatives, cadmium emissions have declined significantly since the 1970s." But the Commission's environment department insists it will call on the rest of the executive to support a ban, and could still bring forward a proposal in September.

To: Don Devlin who wrote (3906)	8/4/1999 6:00:00 PM
From: WALT REISCH	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8393

Where does Anton/Bauer fit in? -VINTEN: First quantity batch of Anton/Bauer HyTron 100 high power NiMH batteries ordered by Top-Teks August 04, 1999 15:33 M2 PRESSWIRE-4 August 1999-VINTEN: First quantity batch of new Anton/Bauer HyTron 100 high power NiMH batteries ordered by Top-Teks from Vinten Broadcast (C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The first quantity batch available in Europe of the new Anton/Bauer high power HyTron 100 NiMH battery has been ordered by leading broadcast support company Top-Teks Limited from UK/Ireland distributor Vinten. The hydride cells of the 14.4 volt, 100 watt-hour HyTron 100 not only provide the highest energy density per unit volume available, but have been specifically designed to meet the exacting demands of high discharge rate applications such as ballast lighting. In its more usual broadcast and professional roles the HyTron 100 will run a typical camcorder at 25 watts consumption for as much as 4 hours. Said Top-Teks Sales Director, Mike Thomas: "The HyTron 100 has clearly filled a gap in the market for a reasonably priced, high capacity battery to meet the increasing power requirements of today's advanced camcorder systems. The high performance and reliability of the HyTron 100, plus its designed-in suitability for high discharge rate applications, make it "a must" for assignments where the number of batteries carried has to be kept to a minimum. We have already supplied the HyTron 100 to two of our major customers as well as to several freelance operators". The HyTron 100 is ideal for use with its companion HyTron 50 operating as the "run and shoot" battery, to provide an extremely versatile Power package offering the advantages of high capacity combined with compact design and low weight. "The HyTron 100 cells are the first of the "new technology" cells designed to meet the special needs of high rate discharge equipment, such as power tools and electric vehicles", said Gerry Brown, Anton/Bauer's Technical Marketing Manager (Europe). "They are capable of operating at rates of up to 4C or more - although the HyTron 100 is fused protected at 12 amps for compatibility with other equipment". CONTACT: Gerry Brown, European Office, Anton/Bauer Tel: +44 (0)1284 756 448 Fax: +44 (0)1284 757 929 Brian Bidgood, BMB Associates Tel: +44 (0)181 560 6376 Fax: +44 (0)181 560 7267 M2 COMMUNICATIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN M2 PRESSWIRE. DATA SUPPLIED BY NAMED PARTY/PARTIES.