Cornerstone laid for manufacturing large lithium-ion batteries in Germany: ElringKlinger participates as an industrial partner

ElringKlinger AG / Key word(s): Contract29.05.2013 / 16:28---------------------------------------------------------------------Dettingen/Erms, May 29, 2013  +++  ElringKlinger AG takes part in the usergroup of the new research production facility for lithium-ion cells locatedat the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg(ZSW) in Ulm. A corresponding memorandum of understanding regarding theshared use of the future research production line was signed today amongseveral companies belonging to the Lithium-Ion Battery Industrial AllianceCompetence Network (KLiB) and the ZSW. In the course of laying thecornerstone for the research building in which the new battery productionfacility will be established, the representatives of the companies presentsigned the declaration for the future use of the line. Next toElringKlinger, signatories included BMW, Daimler, SGL Carbon, Manz, andRockwood Lithium, among others.The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)in Ulm will construct a new battery production facility to conduct researchon manufacturing processes, which will be the first facility to allow foran investigation into the influencing factors which could minimize themanufacturing costs of batteries in the production process. The objectiveis to raise the safety and quality of lithium-ion batteries and to reducethe costs in order to establish an efficient cell and battery industry inGermany. The rechargeable batteries are also expected to be used forstoring solar power. The facility will be completed in 2015. Researchequipment for the facility will be funded with EUR 23.5 million from theFederal Ministry of Education and Research.In the future, close-to-production processes will be developed at thefacility for the production of large prismatic cells having a capacity ofmore than 20 ampere hours. New materials and components can be tested in anindustry-relevant environment.ElringKlinger is already a development partner in the Lithium-Ion BatteryIndustrial Alliance Competence Network (KLiB) in which companies comingfrom various industries prepare the manufacturing of standardized, largelithium-ion batteries and which had helped initiate the efforts toconstruct a facility for conducting research on production methods.Expansion of the E-Mobility product portfolioElringKlinger has expanded its electromobility product program and in thefuture it will also contribute to the production of lithium-ion cells byproviding new types of cell casings. These include cover and integratedPTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) seals and stand out due to theirparticularly low-loss power transmission.The automotive supplier is already developing and producingultra-high-performance cell contact systems for lithium-ion batteries to beused not only in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) but also in purelyelectric-powered automobiles (BEV). For one European automotivemanufacturer, ElringKlinger is carrying out series production of cellconnectors used in battery stacks for hybrid applications. For twoadditional OEMs, the Company will soon start series production of cellcontact systems.The ElringKlinger Group now employs nearly 100 staff in the E-Mobilitydivision. Sales in this division rose 46.7% in fiscal year 2012 to EUR 6.6(4.5) million.End of Corporate News---------------------------------------------------------------------29.05.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - acompany of EquityStory AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de---------------------------------------------------------------------Language:    English                                                 Company:     ElringKlinger AG                                                     Max-Eyth-Straße 2                                                    72581 Dettingen/Erms                                                 Germany                                                 Phone:       071 23 / 724-636                                        Fax:         071 23 / 724-459                                        E-mail:      stephan.haas@elringklinger.de                           Internet:    www.elringklinger.de                                    ISIN:        DE0007856023                                            WKN:         785602                                                  Indices:     MDAX                                                    Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard),                     Stuttgart; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg,               Hannover, München                                         End of News    DGAP News-Service  ---------------------------------------------------------------------  213807 29.05.2013