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Transporting defective lithium-ion batteries safely. New ZARGES case prevents damaged batteries causing fire.

Weilheim, 27 March 2018 – Excelling in terms of their low weight and high efficiency, lithium-ion batteries are a central part of electric cars, battery-powered tools and smartphones. However, their extremely high energy density harbours considerable risk of fire. Dangerous goods packaging expert ZARGES expands its portfolio by adding another solution especially designed for transporting and safekeeping damaged lithium-ion batteries: the K470 Battery Safe aluminium case.

The electric car trend is driving the automotive industry to develop more and more lithium-ion batteries. Such batteries are likewise a central component in e-bikes. Because the relatively lightweight batteries are able to provide maximum performance, users also highly regard their use in battery-operated screwdrivers, electric garden appliances and other tools. Nevertheless, a rechargeable battery may be damaged by improper handling, and in the worst case, the damaged battery may cause fire. This is why lithium-ion batteries are considered dangerous goods and are only allowed to be transported in secure containers. Retailers of e-bikes, e-cars or battery-powered tools are now faced with the challenge of safely storing defective batteries or securely sending them back to the manufacturer – without allowing the damaged battery to ignite.

Foaming interior material prohibits fire development
Usually, a user should bring him/herself quickly to safety when smoke can be seen escaping from a packaging holding a battery. But things are totally different with the ZARGES K470 Battery Safe case: when this happens, it means that the fire damage is being abated. The new dangerous goods packaging is especially designed for transporting and storing defective or damaged battery in a safe and convenient way. The interior of the case is coated with an intumescent material. In case of fire, the case's interior foams up and prevents the flames from spreading further. The underlying principle: the special absorbent material ensures that solid components are filtered out of the battery gases and that liquid constituents condense on the fibre surface. This is how the aluminium case prevents the leaked flammable gases igniting.

"In an emergency, a dangerous goods case must be able to absorb the energy release through a fire," explains ZARGES Product Manager Michael Blum. Therefore, the ZARGES case was subject to a fire test with very strict criteria: the container's surface may not exceed a temperature of 100°C. "The product's proven safety in case of fire has convinced us and ensures that it meets the requirements of its users optimally," says Mr Blum.

Infobox K470 Battery Safe

  • low weight of 11.5 kg
  • interior dimensions: 550 x 550 x 220 mm
  • cushioning: low thermal conductivity, non-flammable, and non-conductive electrically
  • fulfils all provisions of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
  • available now