Saft chosen by ACK Technologies to supply Li-SO2 cells for aircraft emergency beacons

Saft chosen by ACK Technologies to supply Li-SO2 cells for aircraft emergency beacons

VALDESE, N.C. (April 16, 2012) — Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, was selected by ACK Technologies, Inc., a leading aircraft product manufacturer, to provide Lithium-sulfur-dioxide (Li-SO2 ) batteries to support emergency location transmitters (ELT) used in general aviation and commercial aviation aircraft.

Saft’s primary Li-SO2 cells will power the E-04 406 ELT, which, in the event of a plane crash, will emit a rescue signal for a 24-hour period. The product recently received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) TSO C-126 and TSO C-91a approvals. The battery pack is approved under TSO C-142a and meets the highest safety and reliability standards of the aircraft industry.

“Saft is proud to take on this important contract,” said Richard Boyens, General Manager of the Valdese Specialty Battery Group business unit. “We are focused, alongside ACK Technologies, on providing a safe, reliable aircraft product that will deliver high performance in the unfortunate event of a crash. We are excited to support this production with our innovative lithium technology.”

With more than 60,000 battery cells to be delivered over the next three years, the contract is an important production opportunity for Saft’s Valdese, N.C. factory, and it broadens the wide number of applications already served by Saft’s Li-SO2 cells.

Saft’s Li-SO2 technology is particularly innovative because of its long service life (more than five years), as well as its excellent voltage response, which is maintained even after five years of service life.

About Saft

Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also being deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication markets. Saft’s 4,000 employees present in 19 countries, its 16 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future.

For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com

■