Pure Energy Reports on European Union Battery Legislation
Pure Energy Visions Corporation Press ReleaseFlashlightNews.org - 10/12/2006
New Legislation Creating New Sales Opportunities for Pure Energy
Pure Energy's Rechargeable Alkaline
TORONTO, On. - Pure Energy Visions Corporation (PEV - TSX Venture), ("Corporation"), the leading Canadian developer of energy storage technologies for the international battery market, reported today on recent European Union (EU) battery legislation, that is expected to have a positive impact on Pure Energy Visions Inc. ("Pure Energy") the Corporation's battery manufacturing subsidiary.
As reported by BBC News and other European news services, EU member states have agreed to a new directive for limiting the use of batteries that contain cadmium and mercury as well as the recycling of all batteries starting in 2008.
Mercury is a toxic metal, especially dangerous to the developing nervous system and Cadmium is a lethal carcinogenic. Consequently, batteries containing more than 0.0005% of mercury and 0.002% of cadmium will be banned except in emergency and alarm systems, medical equipment and cordless power tools.
The new rules require public collection points where consumers and businesses can drop off used batteries. Four years after the rules become effective, 25 per cent of all batteries are to be reclaimed at such sites, rising to 45 per cent in a further four years.
The directive mandates that original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and battery manufacturers pay for the recycling programs. OEMs will also be required to produce appliances in such a way that batteries can be easily removed. Batteries can be an environmental and health hazard because they contain heavy metals.
"The faster we start to collect and recycle batteries, the better for the environment," said Stavros Dimas, EU Commissioner for the Environment.
About 800,000 tonnes of automotive batteries, 190,000 tonnes of industrial batteries and 160,000 tonnes of consumer batteries are sold in the EU annually. Currently only Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Sweden have battery recycling programs.
"This legislation is very positive for the environment and our Rechargeable Alkaline batteries," stated Stephen Meldrum, Pure Energy's Vice President, and General Manager. "Our Rechargeable Alkaline batteries do not contain heavy metals and because one of our batteries can replace up to 100 single-use batteries less waste enters landfill sites. The banning of rechargeable nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries has already generated interest and the initiation of development programs with several OEMs, each with the potential of using millions of our batteries each year. There is also a significant retail market for NiCd batteries in Europe that does not exist in North America. Recent meetings with several leading European retailers have generated interest in several promotions and listings for our retail battery line. The fact that single-use batteries will also have to be collected and recycled is expected to add to the cost of these batteries while creating ongoing inconveniences for consumers. We expect this will only increase the use of our Rechargeable Alkaline batteries throughout Europe."
While international market data for the production and sale of NiCd batteries is difficult to obtain, Wikipedia Encyclopedia suggests that by the year 2000 over 1.5 billion NiCd batteries were being produced annually.
Unlike 1.2-volt NiCd batteries that suffer from rapid self-discharge, Pure Energy's Rechargeable Alkaline batteries are 1.5 volts and have an industry leading seven-year shelf life. Rechargeable Alkaline batteries can also be conveniently recharged at any time without suffering from the "memory effect" that creates performance limitations for NiCd batteries. In several recent tests including with solar lights and cordless phones, Pure Energy's new and improved XL(tm) formula Rechargeable Alkaline batteries provided more than 5,000 cycles.
About Pure Energy Visions Corporation
Pure Energy Visions Corporation develops and commercializes energy storage technologies for the international battery and fuel cell markets. It owns 94 per cent of Pure Energy Visions Inc., whose flagship product is its Rechargeable Alkaline battery technology, the number one selling rechargeable battery in Canada, sold under the "Pure Energy" and Pure Energy "XL(tm)" labels. Pure Energy has recently initiated a strategy of international expansion for both retail and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) sales targeting the U.S., Europe, China and India. In Canada, Pure Energy products can be purchased at several leading retailers including Wal-Mart, The Source, London Drugs, Loblaws' Super Stores, Giant Tiger, Bargain Shops and Sam's Club.
for more information, visit: www.pureenergybattery.com.