International Battery and Hydro-Québec to Collaborate on Water-Based Manufacturing Processes for Lithium-ion Batteries

ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com), a U.S. manufacturer, designer and developer of large-format Lithium-ion rechargeable cells, batteries and energy storage systems (ESS), announces it has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Hydro-Québec with the purpose to further develop water-based manufacturing processes of Lithium-ion batteries.

“Working together with Hydro-Québec will help accelerate our development”

Hydro-Québec is a world leader in advanced Lithium and Lithium-ion battery research and has a strong intellectual property (IP) position for aqueous electrode technology. As early as 1996, Hydro-Québec started working on water-based manufacturing processes for Lithium-ion batteries.

Since 2008, International Battery, in its plant in Allentown, has extended the manufacturing properties of the water-based process and has successfully produced large-format prismatic Lithium-ion battery cells for a variety of applications using this method. International Battery is the first company in North America to produce commercial Lithium-ion products using a water-based manufacturing process.

Both companies believe that there are significant environmental advantages by using a water-based process in the manufacture of Lithium-ion cells as well as a reduction in manufacturing costs.

“Working together with Hydro-Québec will help accelerate our development,” said International Battery’s President and CEO, Dr. Ake Almgren. “With our focus on applications for renewable energy integration and smart grid, we are excited about the opportunity to work with such a world-class electric utility.”

“We have tested their battery cells and are very impressed with the performance,” said Dr. Karim Zaghib, Administrator, Energy Storage and Conversion Department (SCE) at Hydro-Québec’s Research Institute (IREQ).

As part of the joint collaboration, the companies plan to expand water-based manufacturing processes for additional lithium chemistries.

About Hydro-Québec

Hydro-Québec generates, transmits and distributes electricity, mainly using renewable energy sources, in particular hydroelectricity. It is one of the biggest electric utilities in North America.

About International Battery

Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com) is a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format Lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries for use in a wide range of transportation, industrial, electric utility, smart grid and military applications, employing a uniquely environmentally friendly manufacturing process.

In addition to historical information, this release may contain forward-looking statements. International Battery may, from time-to-time, make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements encompass International Battery’s beliefs, expectations, hopes or intentions regarding future events. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “should,” “likely” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to International Battery as of such date. International Battery assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Actual results may vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of reasons.