Saft demonstrates leadership in sustainable aviation for Climate Day at the Paris Air Show
Saft is totally committed to environmental stewardship for aerospace batteries in response to growing calls for greater sustainability within the industry.
Paris Le Bourget, June 17th, 2015
Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, is participating in Climate Day at the Paris Air Show to demonstrate its commitment to the sustainable development and usage of aerospace batteries. Through a four-point plan, Saft has focused on helping the industry reduce its carbon footprint by improving battery performance, extending lifetime and reducing the weight of products as well as end-of-life recycling.
Firstly, Saft ensures that there is a closed loop for nickel-based aviation batteries by offering free recycling for aviation customers through its “take-back” program. Reusing metals is far less energy intensive than creating products from raw minerals and a total of three quarters of each battery is recycled. Some recovered material is directly reused to manufacture new batteries, whereas the nickel and other alloys are re-used in other industrial products. While end-of-life recycling of nickel-based batteries is an EU requirement, Saft goes well beyond the legal obligation and has a take-back program covering more than 30 countries located in the EU, Asia, America and Africa.
Secondly, Saft is leading the development of new lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology for aviation applications to save weight and improve fuel efficiency. The Li-ion batteries on board the Airbus A350 for example, the aircraft will save 80 kg in the weight of the battery system – equivalent to one extra passenger.
Third, both Saft’s Li-ion and nickel-based battery technologies have a significantly longer lifetime than lead-acid batteries. So there are fewer replacements needed during the aircraft’s operational life, leading to lower consumption of raw materials and a minimised environmental footprint.
Finally, all of Saft’s European and Chinese manufacturing facilities are ISO 14001 certified, which means that the sites meet the internationally recognised environmental management standard and that they have an environmental management system in place.
Jean-Marc Thevenoud, Saft’s Marketing Manager for aviation batteries said: “As the world’s leading battery supplier, Saft is committed to also leading the battery industry on environmental sustainability. Saft is demonstrating its commitment to responsible and sustainable business, which is an integral part of the industry’s future. Saft is committed to helping airlines meet their environmental targets.”
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer 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 deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 4,000 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future.
Saft batteries. Designed for industry. www.saftbatteries.com
Press contacts:
Saft
Jill Ledger, Saft Corporate Communications and Institutional Relations Director
Tel: +33 1 49 93 17 77, e-mail: jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com
Jean-Marc Thevenoud, Marketing Manager, Aviation
Tel: +33 6 13 07 61 76, e-mail: jean-marc.thevenoud@saftbatteries.com
Six Degrees
Andrew Bartlett, Tel: + 44 118 900 08 60, e-mail: andrew.bartlett@sixdegreespr.com
French | West | Vaughan
Ryan Roccaforte, Tel.: +1-919-277-1169, e-mail: rroccaforte@fwv-us.com
