Banner AT THE AUTOMECHANIKA 2024
STYING IN THE FAST LANE WITH SUSTAINABLE BATTERIES
The transformation of the automotive industry is irreversible and e-powered transportation, sustainability and innovation are shaping the mobility of tomorrow. Accordingly, at the Automechanika 2024 from 10 to 14 September 2024 (Stand D51, Hall 4. 1), the premium specialist Banner will be presenting its wide range of innovative start-stop batteries and comprehensive selection of accessories in order to demonstrate just how crucial a dedication to change and a spirit of innovation are.
Munich, 26.8.2024. Andreas Bawart, the Banner Group’s Commercial CEO, also underlines the company’s role, “As a leading expert and consultant for starter and on-board power supply batteries, as well as a provider of a comprehensive range of accessories, Banner constitutes an integral part of modern mobility.” A fact that visitors to the Automechanika 2024 can see for themselves at Banner's traditional Austrian alpine lodge (Stand D51, Hall 4.1).
Lead-acid batteries are indispensible for the on-board power supply of modern e-vehicles
For their on-board power supply, virtually all e-vehicles depend upon reliable lead-acid batteries and therefore these represent a vital factor in e-mobility. Above all, both electric and hybrid vehicles contain large numbers of control units, which place heavy demands upon battery performance. Consequently, in order to secure the stability and availability of the on-board power supply, numerous well-known vehicle manufacturers employ 12V lead-acid batteries in their e- and hybrid vehicles as backup. In addition, 12V batteries serve as a buffer to ensure that safety features function. Banner Running Bull AGM batteries are thus rated as the ideal 12V starter and on-board power supply batteries for many electric and hybrid models.
Sustainability along the entire value added chain
Banner is also viewed as a pioneer with regard to sustainability. The company has a closed battery-recycling loop and attaches equal importance to compliance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. For example, over 95 per cent of the lead used in the production process for starter and on-board power supply batteries is recycled and up to 80 per cent recycled polypropylene is utilised for the battery boxes. In addition, the sulphuric acid collected from spent batteries is processed into sodium sulphate, which in turn is employed in the production of detergents and glass. Last, but not least, the pursuit of maximum sustainability is reflected throughout the entire production process.
A start-stop battery pioneer
As one of the pioneers of innovative start-stop batteries and hence the reduction of CO2 emissions, Banner has literally been supplying car manufacturers and importers with start-stop batteries for combustion powered vehicles for decades. In fact, today 95 per cent and hence the vast majority of such vehicles are equipped with start-stop systems. Two technologies dominate the market in the shape of AGM batteries for vehicles in the E-segment with the highest energy requirements and EFB batteries for B- and C-segment vehicles with high energy needs, but simpler start-stop systems.
A comprehensive range of accessories for long battery life
Banner also offers a comprehensive selection of accessories aimed at ensuring extended battery life. Only last spring, the Banner Group expanded this programme with its Accucharger 12V 15A / 24V 7.5A and Accucharger 12V 25A / 24V 12.5A profile chargers, which represent professional tools for vehicle battery charging and maintenance. These are professional dual-voltage chargers and part of a new generation of fully automatic and voltage-regulated products. The two new Accuchargers can charge all 12V and 24V batteries and even lithium-ion batteries (LiFePO4) with an integrated battery management system (BMS) are recognised and correctly charged.
Investments in the production location
In the past financial year, Banner sales totalled € 302 million and the company thus repeated its result of the previous year. Moreover, this development must be seen against the backdrop of a challenging market environment. Banner anticipates that in future more than 90 per cent of e-cars will continue to use a 12V on-board power supply battery employing proven lead-acid technology. In fact, during the next ten years the battery specialist foresees continued growth in the lead-acid battery market of one to two per cent annually. Over the past three years, the Banner Group has invested more than € 25 million in the development of its headquarters in Leonding near Linz in Upper Austria. The focus of this expenditure was and continues to be on expanding production capacity and office building modernisation. In addition, investments in digitalisation and process improvements are helping to ensure the future viability of the company. Across Europe, companies within the Banner Group currently have a total of 750 employees and as Andreas Bawart concludes, "Our motivated sales team is not only looking forward to welcoming you to the Banner stand at the Automechanika, but also to presenting you with our latest innovations.”
Captions:
Photo 1: Andreas Bawart, the Commercial CEO of the Banner Group
Photo 2: Banner starter and on-board power supply batteries
Photo 3: The Accucharger 15A is a new addition to the accessories range
Additional photographic material is available from the downloadcenter under https://www.bannerbatterien.com/Downloadcenter
Photo credits: © Banner, reprints free of charge. A specimen copy is requested.