Zhang Tianren of Tianneng Group Puts Forth A Proposal for Transforming the Handling of Disposed Lead Acid Batteries

HUZHOU, China, March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tianneng Group chairman Zhang Tianren, one of the leading players in the new energy field, continues to make waves across the industry, this time focusing on the recycling of used lead acid batteries. He recently put forth a proposal to strengthen the regulations surrounding the proper handling of disposed lead acid batteries at the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Congress.

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The business of the recovery of disposed lead acid batteries is now in complete disarray. Zhang hopes to see "the sector's winter go and spring come."

As a pioneer in the lead acid battery industry, Zhang led his team in the development of the industry's first long-life cycle battery in 1998, sending shock waves across the industry and directly contributing to the industry's transformative first round of development.

"Every year, China produces 1.5 to 2 million tons of scrap lead acid batteries, which is actually a major treasure trove if utilized efficiently. On the other hand, they can also become a major source of pollution if not handled and disposed of properly," Zhang said. He added that, following more than 20 years of development and several years of rigorous regulations, pollution from the production of lead acid batteries has already been well addressed, with the focus now shifting to battery recovery. Scrap lead acid batteries are waiting for a new spring.

With regulations in place, scrap lead acid batteries enter a new spring season

Generally speaking, China's lead acid battery manufacturers never got involved in the recovery of used batteries. However, Zhang believes that industry leaders must shoulder the responsibility and set a good example. In 2009, Tianneng built a large industrial park based on the concept of a virtuous circular production line specializing in the recovery of disposed batteries. The metal recovery rate of the lead at the park is 10 percent higher than at sites using more traditional methods of recovery.

Zhang also suggested that China needs to undertake research on the recovery of disposed lead acid batteries by developing industrial clusters for the recycling of the metal, in a move to promote successful demonstration projects and supporting management systems as well as to boost the development of the industry as a whole.

About Tianneng Group

Founded in 1986, Tianneng Group focuses on the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries and is also engaged in the development, production and sale of nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, wind and solar energy storage batteries as well as recovery of secondary lead and other new energy resources. On June 11, 2007, the company became China's first power battery firm to list on Hong Kong's main board (00819.HK). As a large international company, Tianneng Group now has 8 billion yuan in total assets and over 20,000 employees spread across 22 China-based wholly-owned subsidiaries and 3 business units overseas.

Tianneng Group has maintained the number one position among its peers in China for the 16th consecutive year in terms of production output and sales volume of its core products, making it one of the leading green power source providers in the country. Its sales revenue exceeded 50 billion yuan (approx. US$8.2 billion) in 2013.

Tianneng Group is one of the key high-tech firms with government support in China and a core member of the Administration of Storage Battery Standardization of China. It is one of the Global 500 New Energy Firms, China's Top 500 Manufacturers, China's Top 500 Privately-owned Firms and China's Top Ten Cell Makers and boasts a state-level postdoctoral workstation and a state-registered corporate technology center. The company has developed more than 50 new state-level key products, developed and tested 153 standards and achieved more than 950 innovation patents in recent years. Please visit the official website: http://www.cn-tn.com/index.aspx