Joint Venture VARTA Microbattery and Volkswagen
Ellwangen, 25. September 2009 -- VARTA Microbattery and Volkswagen intend to establish a research cooperation
subject to the approval of the responsible Federal Trade Commission
to conduct the development of future battery systems in vehicles with electric
drive. The aim is to improve the efficiency characteristics of these batteries to
allow both companies to have a stronger market presence in electric vehicles.
VARTA Microbattery GmbH is confident that with this co-operation, research and development of a Lithium-Ion battery cell, which is technically superior and price competitive can be achieved.
Research activities will be done at VARTA Microbattery's head office in Ellwangen and initially the project will cover a four year period.
In this joint venture VARTA Microbattery will contribute comprehensive know-how in the area Lithium-Ion batteries as well as innovative production technology. Moreover, Ellwangen offers an ideal environment for research of future Lithium-Ion battery generation. VARTA Microbattery has more than 100 years experience in the area of various electrochemical systems from Lithium to metal air systems as well as of their research, development and production.
This co-operation with Volkswagen joins the competences of both companies to maximise the synergies and economies in the research of new chemical systems based on lithium.
"The market prospects for Lithium-Ion batteries are enormous. VARTA Microbattery GmbH
establishes with this research co-operation the course for enhancements of this future technology in Germany" said Herbert Schein, CEO of VARTA Microbattery GmbH on the occasion of this engagement.
VARTA Microbattery GmbH is a 100 percent daughter of Montana Tech Components AG.
DDr. Michael Tojner, president of the administrative board and Mag. Klaus Sernetz, CEO,
commented: "The joint venture is a great chance for our company to gain a leading role in this important future technology and shows our long-term vision in the battery business."
VARTA Microbattery GmbH
VARTA Microbattery is one of the major battery manufacturers in the world maintaining production facilities globally in order to supply more than 100 countries with quality products. The headquarter of the company is in Germany, Ellwangen. We develop and produce batteries comprising many electrochemical systems and cell geometry´s. As global system supplier we provide the best solution possible to satisfy our customer´s
application requirements.
About Montana Tech Components AG
Montana Tech Components AG focuses on selected key technologies in global markets which show a particularly rapid growth and also have a strong growth potential in the medium term. The three divisions of the holding - Aerospace & Industrial Components, Metal Tech and Varta Micro Power - are among the leaders in their respective international markets.
Contact for questions:
VARTA Microbattery GmbH
Sonja Peitl-Steinert
Corporate Communications
Daimlerstrasse 1
73479 Ellwangen
Deutschland
Telefon +49 7961 921-526
E-mail: sonja.peitl-steinert@varta-microbattery.com
Montana Tech Components AG
Valerie Keidel
Corporate Communications
Hauptstrasse 35
5737 Menziken
Schweiz
Telefon +43 1 9610692-40
v.keidel@montanatechcomponents.com
VARTA Microbattery GmbH
Daimlerstrasse 1
73479 Ellwangen
Germany
Tel. +49 7961 921-0
Fax +49 7961 921 553
A Company of Montana Tech Components AG
