Current News

Panasonic is extending its comprehensive range of industrial batteries still further with the new 'Super Life' models. The hallmarks of these six new VRLA batteries of the LC-QA series, with capacities of between 24 and 200 ampere hours (Ah), are a very long service life of 17 years (at 20 degrees Celsius) and excellent product quality. The main area of application is the telecommunications industry. The batteries are produced at the Chinese factory in Shenyang that has received accreditation for its particular commitment to environmental protection and social responsibility toward its staff.

The new LC-QA models are the result of a research program to prolong the service life of lead-acid batteries, which Panasonic started back in 1984. In these new models, an innovative lead-calcium tin alloy minimizes harmful corrosion to the positive electrode. An exactly designed formulation contributes to long life for the positive active material, just as the special material of the negative electrode minimizes the current for floating charging. A highly developed process for manufacturing plates also guarantees high performance. The connections are provided with a reliable seal thanks to a rubber washer and epoxy resin. Computer-aided design of the battery housing takes account of the particular demands that arise as a result of changes in pressure, particularly at the corners. The battery models distributed in Europe all have a highly flame-retardant housing to UL 94-VO.

Of particular importance to long life are a clever design of the cells and a special material for the separators that guarantee a constant pressure throughout the service life and control the build-up of oxygen. These Panasonic batteries represent the latest generation in the development of "valve regulated lead-acid-VRLA" batteries. In this technology a special electrolyte binds with the oxygen that forms on the surface of the negative material during overcharge. This reduces the loss of water and a virtually maintenance-free application in back-up systems is achieved. Since the 1970s Panasonic has been using fleece separators (AGM technology) in place of the usual gel electrolytes used up to that point. These prevent the so-called acid coating.

Thanks to these coordinated technologies Panasonic achieves a design life of 17 years (usable life) for the new LC-QA batteries, at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees Celsius.

The batteries are available as 12 V models with capacities of 24 Ah (LC-QA1224), 42 Ah (LC-QA1242), 65 Ah (LC-QA1265), 100 Ah (LC-QA12100) and 120 Ah (LC12120). The 6 V model (LC-QA06200) has a capacity of 200 Ah.

They are manufactured in accordance with the international standard for industrial safety.

The batteries are produced in a factory which, like all Panasonic battery production plants guarantees consistently high standards to ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 for environmental protection, thanks to its proprietary quality and environmental management systems and regular audits. Also further to this the factory in Shenyang is also certified to OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series), an international standard for assessing a management system for occupational safety. This confirms that the Panasonic factory has been proactive in putting the occupational health and safety of its staff at the centre of the company's dealings.

Batteries from Panasonic - safe, long lasting and powerful

Matsushita Battery Industrial (MBI) started battery production in 1931 as part of the Matsushita Group (widely known under the name Panasonic). Today, the company operates in 15 countries, with a workforce of 16,000 and 28 production plants. With annual production of over 10 billion batteries, it is the largest battery manufacturer in the world.

The product portfolio includes Lithium-Ion, Lithium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Nickel-Cadmium, Alkaline, Zinc-Carbon and maintenance-free VRLA batteries. The all-round experience of one of the world's largest electronics groups in the development of high tech products such as camcorders or mobile phones leads again and again to ground-breaking solutions for the batteries needed for this. Panasonic also offers its OEM customers standard charging equipment and customized charging systems and emphasizes its corporate identity as a power solutions provider with a comprehensive product range.

Panasonic industrial batteries are marketed in Europe by Panasonic Industrial Europe GmbH (PIE). The Industry Battery Group (IBG), which is a long-standing group subsidiary, is responsible for OEM business. The head office in Hamburg is responsible for Germany, the Benelux countries, Switzerland, Austria, Scan­dinavia and Eastern Europe. There are independent offices trading in Great Britain/Ireland, France, Italy and Spain. There is also a close-knit distributors' network.

Panasonic Industrial Europe GmbH (PIE)

In addition to the distribution of industrial batteries Panasonic Industrial Europe GmbH (PIE), with its headquarters in Hamburg, is responsible within the Panasonic organisation for European-wide sales of production equipment, such as electronic components and devices, semiconduc­tors and production systems, to customers in the electronics industry and the audio/video, household goods, telecommunications, computer and automobile markets.

PIE employs a total of 300 staff. The Managing Director is Tadashi Mochizuki. The company maintains subsidiaries in Munich and Bracknell (London), as well as agencies in Moscow and Izmir (Turkey) and sales offices in Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Vienna and Düsseldorf. There are also service offices for telecommunications in Copenhagen and Helsinki, as well as training centres for factory automation in Vienna and Bracknell (London).

Panasonic Battery Sales Europe NV (PBSE)

The Panasonic Battery Sales Europe with its headquarters in Brussels is responsible for the sale of consumer batteries in Europe.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (Panasonic)

The Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd Group, familiar through its brand name Panasonic, is a leading developer and manufacturer of electronic products for private consumers, the corporate sector and industry, known worldwide. In March 2006, the company, whose headquarters is in Osaka, Japan, posted consolidated net sales for the previous year of 76.02 billion US dollars. The shares of the company are traded on the stock exchanges in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, New York (NYSE:MC), Euronext Amsterdam and Frankfurt. More information about the company and its brand name Panasonic is on the Internet at http://www.panasonic-industrial.com, http://www.panasonic-europe.com and at http://pansonic.net.