Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland / Kamenz, Germany, 11 May 2015 – Leclanché S.A. (SIX Swiss Exchange: LECN), specialized in the production of large-format lithium-ion cells and energy storage solutions and Litarion GmbH, formerly Evonik-Litarion GmbH and now a subsidiary of Electrovaya Inc. (TSX: EFL) specialized in the research, development, and manufacturing of high performance electrodes, and in particular graphite and NMC based electrodes, today announce that they have entered into a supply agreement for the manufacturing and the commercialization of Lithium ion storage systems incorporating electrodes from Litarion. The two companies will build on the extensive experience that Litarion has gained in the manufacturing of electrodes over the last 10 years and on the strong cell production knowhow and capability that Leclanché has implemented at its German subsidiary located in Willstaett.

This agreement is the result of several months of joint collaboration and sees two of Europe’s largest lithium ion production capacities increasing their collaboration.

Pierre Blanc, Leclanché’s Chief Technical and Industrial Officer commented: “I am delighted that we have concluded this agreement with Litarion GmbH, whose electrode development and production capability is world class. Through this agreement two of Europe’s largest lithium ion manufacturing capabilities are tightening their relationship to offer the market leading electrochemical storage systems. The combination of Litarion’s capabilities in electrode manufacturing, and Leclanché’s state of the art cell manufacturing using our proprietary manufacturing and separator technology have resulted in lithium ion cells with outstanding performance. Through this agreement we further secure this collaboration.” 

André Mecklenburg, Litarion´s Chief Operational Officer commented: “The last six months has been a period of constant change at Litarion GmbH. Shifting from a one-hundred-percent supplier to the automotive industry, we are now focusing on the emerging market of energy storage systems and industrial applications. We are extremely happy having this supply contract with Leclanché, fitting excellently in our new core field of business. We are confident that the combination of our high performance electrodes together with Leclanché´s outstanding cell assembly know-how will lead to joint commercial success.” 

Media contact
For Leclanché:
Claude-Olivier Rochat, Voxia communication – Mobile +41 (0)79 203 52 19
co.rochat@voxia.ch
Rohan Sant, Voxia communication – Mobile +41 (0)79 120 00 28
rohan.sant@voxia.ch
For Litarion:
Paul Hart, CFO, Electrovaya T. +1 (905) 855-4618
ir@electrovaya.com

About Leclanché

Headquartered in Switzerland, Leclanché SA is a leading provider of high-quality energy storage solutions designed to accelerate our progress towards a clean energy future. Leclanché’s history and heritage is rooted in over 100 years of battery and energy storage innovation and the Company is a trusted provider of energy storage solutions globally. This coupled with the Company’s culture of German engineering and Swiss precision and quality, continues to make Leclanché the partner of choice for both disruptors, established companies and governments who are pioneering positive changes in how energy is produced, distributed and consumed around the world. The energy transition is being driven primarily by changes in the management of our electricity networks and the electrification of transport, and these two end markets form the backbone of our strategy and business model. Leclanché is at the heart of the convergence of the electrification of transport and the changes in the distribution network. Leclanché is the only listed pure play energy storage company in the world, organised along three business units: stationary storage solutions, e-Transport solutions and specialty batteries systems. Leclanché is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX: LECN).

SIX Swiss Exchange: ticker symbol LECN | ISIN CH 011 030 311 9

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.

Contacts Leclanché

Media Switzerland /Europe:

Thierry Meyer

T: +41 (0) 79 785 35 81

E-mail: tme@dynamicsgroup.ch

Media North America:

Henry Feintuch / Ashley Blas

T: +1-914-548-6924 / +1-509-494-4053

E-mail: leclanche@feintuchpr.com  

Media Germany:

Christoph Miller

T: +49 (0) 711 947 670

E-mail: leclanche@sympra.de

Investor Contacts:

Anil Srivastava / Hubert Angleys

T: +41 (0) 24 424 65 00

E-mail: invest.leclanche@leclanche.com