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News
12.1.2012
More Efficient Recycling of Alkaline Batteries
Idea: Energy-efficient chemical processing for used alkaline
batteries
Impact: Recovery rate will rise above 80 percent
 Chemical
treatment at room temperature will raise recovery efficiency above 80
percent. AkkuSer Oy has developed a chemical method for processing
alkaline batteries, in response to the needs of the chemicals industry.
The project was implemented in the Tekes Functional Materials Programme.
“At present, smelting is the only method for recycling old
alkaline batteries. Because of the high energy costs and hazards of the
foundry process, Europe’s largest alkaline battery smelters have been
closed since the summer, leaving inadequate capacity. Current methods
also make it hard to implement the EU directive on recycling, because
the recovery rate from smelting is only about 50 percent,” says
Jarmo Pudas, managing director of AkkuSer.
AkkuSer has been collecting and recycling rechargeable batteries
and accumulators from the EU since 2006. Of the materials recovered,
Li-ion and Li-polymer are supplied as powder to OMG’s chemical plant in
Kokkola while NiMH is sent to Norilsk Nickel in Harjavalta.
"The dry process that we have already developed separates valuable
metals from rechargeable batteries. They are identified by element,
crushed, sorted and supplied to industry as a raw material. They can be
refined using chemical and other methods. Our process makes it possible
to reuse more than 90 percent of batteries. We are currently developing
a similar method for recycling alkaline batteries, which will raise
their recovery rate above 80 percent.”
Lower processing and investment costs
AkkuSer’s method for chemical processing of alkaline batteries
takes place at room temperature so it consumes a fraction of the energy
required by the foundry method. Investment costs are also significantly
lower than with smelter technology, which requires substantial initial
spending. And the recovery rate is almost twice as good as smelters can
offer.
“Specifying a chemical process takes time. The costs for an SME
are high because there are major challenges in developing alkaline
technology. We have studied and developed the process for many years.
Financing from Tekes facilitated our initial research and helped us
chart chemical models. As our collaborators we have used experts and
researchers from the fields of chemical and metals. Research work is
ongoing and, after studies and piloting, we expect to have a full-scale
plant in operation by 2014.”
More information
Managing Director Jarmo Pudas
AkkuSer Oy
Tel. +358 50 312 0591
jarmo(at)akkuser.fi
www.akkuser.fi/video
11.10.2011
Press Release - Responsible Care Awards 2011
European Responsible Care Winners Announced
Trade group
applauds emphasis on life cycle approach, innovation
MADRID, September 30, 2011 – Cefic announced today the three
winners of its European Responsible Care Awards at a special ceremony at
its annual general assembly in Madrid.
Chosen by a panel of independent judges who carefully assessed the
applications, two companies and one trade association took home the
hardware. Evonik Industries of Germany won the large company category
for its project that improves the reforestation of the Argan Tree in
Morocco. Finnish young start-up company Akkuser won the award for small-
and medium-sized enterprises for its work in recycling batteries and
accumulators. A special award on community outreach celebrating the
International Year of Chemistry went to French chemicals trade group
Union des Industries Chimiques in France for their project L’Art en la
Matière.
Cefic President Giorgio Squinzi, presenting the awards during a
ceremony, said: “This year’s competition was again exceptional for the
large number of high quality entries. More than 40 entries were received
this year from 12 countries. It was the second year in a row that awards
were given to organisations representing France and Germany.”
SME award winner: Finland’s Akkuser lauded for patented
battery recycling process
Akkuser won for its high-tech
battery and accumulator recycling business that helps recover resources
and protect the environment. The company’s patented technology, called
Dry Technology, extracts metals such as nickel, cobalt and iron as well
as compound materials which are then further processed by its customers.
The method raises the recovery rate of these metals above 90 per cent
and reduces energy consumption compared with conventional recycling
techniques. Their work is important because of rapidly growing demand
for mobile electronic devices and the resulting battery waste is an
environmental concern, due to the heavy metals and hazardous chemicals
contained.
Founded in 2005 and currently employing 10 people in the west of
Finland, the company was praised by the panel for its technological
approach as well as for turning an environmental need into a business
case.
Cefic President Giorgio Squinzi concluded: “The awards help us
increase the profile and visibility of Responsible Care, which helps to
spread the message to bring smaller companies into the Responsible Care
family and drive continuous improvement in other regions of the world,
especially in China and India.”
For more information or awards ceremony press photos,
presentations on the winners, please contact Bernhard Thier on +32 478
320 455 or via e-mail at
bth@cefic.be
For general information on Responsible Care go to
www.cefic.org/Responsible-Care
or
www.responsiblecare.org
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Read full press release (PDF)
18.7.2011
News Release - Country Representatives
AkkuSer Oy to Represent Finland in Europe's Most Competitive Business
Awards Competition
 The
European Business Awards sponsored by HSBC
(www.businessawardseurope.com) has announced today that AkkuSer Oy is to
represent Finland in the prestigious 2011 Awards programme. AkkuSer Oy
beat off stiff competition to be selected as one of Finland Country
Representatives and will now compete for a coveted Ruban d’Honneur in
the next round of the competition. Final category Award winners will be
unveiled in Barcelona on 22 November 2011.
The European Business Awards has identified some of Europe’s
brightest businesses based on their ability to demonstrate the three
core principles at the heart of the Awards programme. The esteemed panel
of judges were looking for organisations to represent Finland who
exhibited innovation, business excellence and sustainability.
Jarmo Pudas, Managing Director of AkkuSer Oy: “At AkkuSer we’re
absolutely thrilled to be selected to represent Finland We’ve been
operating for over 5 years in the battery recycling and it’s an honour
to be recognised as one of the leading organisations in our country and
in our field. The European Business Awards is widely recognised as the
showcase for Europe’s most dynamic companies. We’re looking forward to
the next round of the competition where we’ll be competing across Europe
to receive a Ruban d’Honneur and hopefully win the category for The HSBC
International Growth Strategy of the Year 2011.
The European Business Awards is dedicated to raising the
visibility and progress of companies who excel in delivering innovation
twinned with successful commercial results whilst acting responsibly and
positively affecting the social environment they operate in. The 2010
European Business Awards showcased 100 Ruban d’Honneur recipients with a
combined turnover greater than €766 billion Euros (6% of EU GDP) who
employ over 3.5 million people.
Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards says, “Over the
past five years we’ve received an incredibly high standard of entries
from organisations that are passionate about their business. However,
very few get the chance to fly the flag for their country and compete
across Europe to be recognised as one of the EU’s leading companies. It
really is an exceptional accolade to be picked as a Country
Representative, and together with HSBC we’re looking forward to seeing
Finland in the next round.
John Casey, HSBC Head of Commercial Banking Europe, commented:
“The European Business Awards provide a perfect opportunity to recognise
the best of European business and their successes over the past twelve
months. These companies have displayed an impressive ability to thrive
despite challenging economic conditions, pursuing growth and creating
prosperity. Their recognition is highly deserved, and through the
European Business Awards their success – and the stories behind that -
can be shared across the wider business community. We look forward to
celebrating alongside these inspirational businesses and wish them every
success at the next stage of judging.”
“AkkuSer Oy and the nine other country representatives will
provide tough competition for the other quality businesses representing
their own nations this year, and we wish them every success at the next
stage.”
For further information please contact:
Jarmo Pudas, CEO
Mobile: +358 50 312 0591
Tel. +358 8 443
200
Email:
jarmo@akkuser.fi
Tommi Karjalainen, Operations Manager
Mobile: +358 50 312 0593
Email:
tommi@akkuser.fi
www.akkuser.fi
Visit:
www.businessawardseurope.com
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Read full press release (PDF)
10.2.2011
Press release
Nordic
Cleantech Open
25 Nordic cleantech stars selected!
Nordic Cleantech Open today announces the top 25
finalists of this years competition. The top 25 have a few traits in
common:
- They are all targeting big international markets,
- They where founded relatively recently (a majority are less than
two years old), and
- They have the potential to make real positive
change for the environment.
The top 25 were selected by a jury of 32 individuals,
a lot of them very experienced investors and industrials and other
people with insights in cleantech markets (see
http://www.nordiccleantechopen.com/jury/
for full list) The Jury where instructed
to evaluate the growth potential of the companies based on three things:
the innovation, the market opportunity and the team of the companies.
The finalists represent a wide array of industries
and technologies. Artificial Intelligence, robotics, nano technology and
a swap service for second hand goods is side by side with more well
known cleantech sectors such as lighting, wind, wave and solar.
Jury member Michael Lauridsen comments:
"I have
invested in this field over a number of years and I was surprised by the
high quality of incoming applications. The potential of many of these
start-ups is clearly very large. It was also encouraging to see
promising ideas across such a broad range of cleantech segments."
Michael Stuer Lauridsen is a partner of BankInvest New Energy Solutions.
He has more than 25 years experience from Schneider Electric, Siemens
and ABB.
The finalists will now be convened for a networking
weekend at Trolleholm castle to meet and work on their business cases
with selected investors and industrials.
After this, showcasing events in London and a final
event in Copenhagen is lined up for the participants.
►
Read full press release
(.doc)
15.12.2010
Environmental technology company AkkuSer joined
Finland’s elite of fastest-growing technology companies - recognition
also in the international technology ranking list
Recycling method for hazardous batteries and
accumulators turned to be a profitable business
AkkuSer Ltd surged ahead and was ranked place 11 on
the Deloitte’s national Technology Fast 50 2010 list. AkkuSer is the
only Cleantech company to appear on the list. The company has also been
recognised in the international Deloitte Technology EMEA Fast 500 2010
series amongst the companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The achieved rank was 168. AkkuSer has created a profitable business out
of recycling batteries and accumulators used in wireless products:
within the last 5 years company’s turnover has grown by almost 1 000
%.
The technology developed by AkkuSer enables the
processing of recycling material into valuable metals suitable as raw
material for the industries, and their restoration for reuse. Batteries
and accumulators containing both hazardous heavy metals and valuable
metals can be recycled without loading the environment. Over 90
% of the recycling material can be reused. No
environmentally harmful carbon dioxide emissions or waste are generated
during the recycling process. AkkuSer delivers the segregated metals to
production facilities for turning into industrial raw material.
The recycling method meets the requirements set by
the legislator. The battery and accumulator directive that became
effective in European Member States in 2008 obligates manufacturers and
suppliers to recycle all portable batteries and accumulators contained
in their products.
-
“The growing problem of electronic waste has
awakened interest towards recycling technologies and ecological life
cycle services. There is also a worldwide shortage of valuable
metals. We are now seeking further growth and technology partners
through internationalisation”, says Jarmo Pudas, Managing Director
of AkkuSer Ltd.
New recycling method for alkaline batteries under
development
A method targeting the recycling of alkaline
batteries is currently under development. Alkaline batteries account for
the majority (around 80%) of batteries used by consumers. The method is
a more ecological alternative to the technology currently available on
the market, as well as being more sensible in terms of overall economy.
Close to 100% recycling and reuse can be achieved. AkkuSer’s new
production facility planned for Kokkola, Finland will concentrate solely
on the recycling of alkaline batteries.
Established in 2005, AkkuSer is the only actor in
this sector among the Nordic countries. The company has a recycling
plant at Nivala in Finland. The plant receives, stores, sorts and
recycles batteries and dry accumulators classified as hazardous waste.
Battery and accumulator waste is delivered to the company by waste
management organisations in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Austria
and Denmark. The plant has capacity for handling 4,000 tonnes of
batteries and accumulators.
For more information, please contact:
Managing
Director Jarmo Pudas, AkkuSer Oy, tel. +358 50 312 0591,
jarmo.pudas@akkuser.fi
Deloitte
Technology Fast 50 - 500
AkkuSer Ltd develops battery and accumulator
recycling technologies aimed at preserving natural resources, and offers
environmentally friendly recycling services to supplier organisations of
electronics industry. The Dry Technology™ method developed by the
company enables over 90% of the environmentally harmful heavy metals and
metals suitable for reprocessing contained in batteries and accumulators
to be recycled at the AkkuSer recycling plant. No waste or carbon
dioxide emissions are generated by the recycling process. AkkuSer is ISO
14001 and ISO 9001 certified. Further information
www.akkuser.fi
1.11.2010
Appointment
M.Sc. (Tech) Tommi Karjalainen has been appointed
Operations Manager of AkkuSer
Ltd as of 1 November 2010. Karjalainen works with operational tasks and
customer relationship management. Clean-Tech
industry operator AkkuSer
Ltd specializes in recycling hazardous batteries and accumulators in a
totally environmental manner and co-operates with producer organizations
by offering them recycling life cycle services.
More information:
www.akkuser.fi
25rd February 2010
AkkuSer
Ltd started as Saft collection point partner
The following collection partner is authorized to receive used
industrial and portable nickel-based batteries. From this collection
point forward, the transportation cost to the recycling plants and the
cost of the recycling operation are paid for by Saft.
Furthermore,
the majority of these collection points are in position to organize a
transportation service for the return of the waste from the end-user
premises to the collection point.
More information:
http://www.saftbatteries.com/TheSaftGroup/Environment/Collectionpoints/tabid/
435/Language/en-US/Default.aspx
PRESS RELEASE 22nd June 2009
AkkuSer is now a member of Cleantech Finland
AkkuSer Ltd: Hazardous waste recycled without harming the environment
 AkkuSer Ltd specializes in recycling hazardous batteries in a totally
environmental way. With AkkuSer’s unique technology it is possible to
process and restore batteries for reuse without harming the environment.
Batteries – single use or rechargeable - are used
as power sources in all types of wireless products, such as digital
cameras, video cameras, mobile phones, computers and drills.
“As the number of wireless devices is increasing at
a rapid pace, the number of rechargeable batteries powering the devices
is also increasing. This means that there is a rising volume of
hazardous waste to process”, explains
Jarmo Pudas,
Managing Director of AkkuSer.
Globally unique technology
The
AkkuSer’s recycling method – Dry-Technology® – is unique in the world. It
represents the latest technology which raises the degree of material
recovery from batteries to a new level. It also enables safe handling of
the hazardous materials.
The
recycling rate of Dry-Technology® is more than 90 per cent compared to
alternative technologies like Foundry Technology in which nearly half of
the processed material ends up in landfills. Another major asset of Dry-Technology® is the extremely low energy consumption which is nearly 90
per cent less than in Foundry Technology.
AkkuSer processes most of the
rechargeable batteries and battery waste generated in
Finland
and
Estonia,
and half of the waste generated in Norway
and Sweden.
The company has the capacity to accept waste from other countries and
also to export its methods.
"The initial driving force of our
product development was the EU recycling directive, which took effect in
2006. When similar legislation is enacted in the rest of the world,
demand for our technology will skyrocket," says Pudas.
For more information about AkkuSer's solutions:
www.akkuser.fi
www.cleantech.fi
PRESS RELEASE 23rd October 2008
As a symbol and an encouragement and
for its exemplary innovations AkkuSer has been awarded the
Pohjois-Pohjanmaa
INNOFINLAND 2008 prize.
In Oulu 23rd October 2008
Second prize
Akkuser Oy: Recycling system of
batteries and dry accumulators
Akkuser has developed a new
environmental-friendly technology for recycling batteries and dry
accumulators. In the automated treatment process of batteries and
accumulators, metals are recovered and other parts like plastic and
cardboard are utilized in energy production. After the treatment process
90 % of the product has been recycled. Compared with other similar
recycling technologies, this recycling technology is environmental
friendly. During the process no environmentally distressing chemicals
and noticeably small amounts of energy are used.
The company has received international recognition.
In Finland Akkuser co-operates with
RecSer, a producer organization founded through agreement. In Sweden an
agreement has been met with El-Kretsen, a local producer company, which
delivers 50 % of the material compiled in Sweden to Finland.
The regulation on batteries and
accumulators which shall enter into force at EU level, came into force
in Finland on the 26th of September, 2008.
More information: Jarmo Pudas,
Managing Director tel. +358-50-3120591,
e-mail:
jarmo.pudas@akkuser.fi
INNOFINLAND promotes creativity, skills,
entrepreneurship and partnership.
Background organizations are Confederation of Finnish Industries,
Ministry of Trade and Industry, Foundation for Finnish Inventions,
Central Chamber of Commerce, Provincial Federations, Sitra, Stakes, Jobs
and Society in Finland, Federation of Finnish Enterprises, T&E central,
Tekes, Ministry of Employment and Economy and other organizations
supporting innovations.
ICBR 2010 15th
International Congress of Battery Recycling
September 15-17, 2010, Brussels, Belgium
http://www.icm.ch/brochure_battery10.htm
►
AkkuSer's congress material (PDF)
IFAT China World Expo
5-7 May 2010, Shaghai New International Expo Center,
China
Exhibitor List
http://www.ifat-china.com/
14th
International Congress for Battery Recycling
16-18 September 2009, Geneva,
Switzerland
http://www.icm.ch/index_battery09.htm
2nd
Electronics & Battery Recycling ´09 International Conference
24-26 June 2009, Toronto, Canada
http://www.icm.ch/index_ebr_09.htm
►
AkkuSer's congress material (PDF)
13th International Congress for Battery
Recycling
17-19 September 2008, Düsseldorf, Germany
http://www.icm.ch/index_battery08.htm
►
AkkuSer's congress material (PDF)
Electronics & Battery Recycling '08
International Conference, Exhibition & Plant Tours
June 3 - 6, 2008, Toronto, Canada
http://www.icm.ch/index_ebr_08.htm
Cooperation
Exchange at the International Engineering Trade Fair
Engineering, Tools, Technology
May 22 - 23, 2008 Nitra, Slovakia
http://www.globalcluster.eu/dynasite.cfm?dsmid=9795
PRESS RELEASE 12.11.2007
European business awards for the
environment 2008 - National Cleantech Finland competition
Second Prize in the Process Category for AkkuSer Oy
The competition is held in two phases.
Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, coordinates the national
competition. The winners of the national awards then participate in the
European Awards. The international competition is organised by the
Environment Directorate-General of European Commission. The winners of
the latest international competition will be announced in Brussels in
June 2008, in conjunction of the Green Week.
Battery recycling, a response to the
accumulator/battery directive
In a new type of dry process, used
batteries and accumulators are treated without water or chemicals,
eliminating waste water problems and minimising the amount of solid
waste. The process provides an inexpensive and eco-efficient answer to
the new EU directive concerning the recycling of batteries and
accumulators.
In the treatment process for dry-cell
batteries and accumulators, the valuable metals are recovered for
further use, and other components, such as plastic and cardboard, are
utilised in energy production. The process chain comprises the reception
of accumulators, intermediate storing, sorting based on the metal
content, and the actual treatment. The sorted batteries are crushed and
ground, the ensuing dust and gases treated, and the metal recovered. The
entire process is automated, and in this innovative dry process, no
water or chemicals are used. As a result, there is no waste water and
the amount of solid waste remains minimal. Moreover, the energy
consumption is relatively low compared to smelting technologies. The
recycling efficiency of the process is good.
Development of the treatment chain has
required a pioneering role in battery sorting, recognition and tracing
as well as in process safety technologies. Afull-scale utilisation of
the process requires that the infrastructure for the collection of used
accumulators and batteries be improved in Finland.
The EU directive on batteries and
accumulators will require recycling of these materials. A law based on
the directive will enter into force in Finland in 2008, so this type of
process will be in great demand. Furthermore, the availability of
efficient and affordable recycling will ensure that used accumulators
and batteries do not end up in landfills or third-world countries.
Further information
Jarmo Pudas, Managing Director, AkkuSer Oy
Tel. 050 312 0591,
jarmo.pudas@akkuser.fi
www.akkuser.fi
Ecomondo - 11th
International Trade Fair of Material & Energy Recovery and Sustainable
Development
November 7-10, 2007, Rimini, Italy
www.ecomondo.com
PRESS RELEASE 28.9.2007
AkkuSer Oy and Ekokem Oy Ab tightening their co-operation
AkkuSer Oy and Ekokem Oy Ab have made an wide agreement of recycling
batteries and accumulators collected by Ekokem Oy Ab.
Ekokem answers to new battery and accumulator directive which is coming
into force at autumn 2008.
More information:
AkkuSer Oy, Managing director Jarmo Pudas, tel. +358-50-3120 591
www.akkuser.fi
Ekokem Oy Ab, Director Pekka Hyvärinen, tel. +358-44-7551 914
www.ekokem.fi
12th International Congress for Battery Recycling
June 20 - 22, 2007 Budapest, Hungary
www.icm.ch
PRESS RELEASE 2nd
January 2007
AkkuSer Oy and OMG Kokkola Chemicals Oy have
made an agreement of utilization of batteries and accumulators.
AkkuSer Oy processes batteries and
accumulators collected from Finland, in their recycling plant in Nivala,
Finland and restore them for reuse without loading environment.
OMG Kokkola Chemicals Oy receives from
Li-ion accumulators separated enrichment of cobalt from AkkuSer Oy, and
manufactures cobalt chemicals from that for use of new Li-ion
accumulators.
OMG leads the world in refining and
production of cobalt with the world's largest smelter and refinery.
Through its integrated manufacturing capabilities, the company extends
its leadership positions to include cobalt inorganics, electroless
nickel and cobalt powders.
OMG Kokkola Chemicals is refiner and
manufacturer of cobalt inorganic salts, oxides, powders and metal
carboxylates.
More information:
AkkuSer Oy, Managing director Jarmo Pudas, tel. +358-50-2130 591
OMG Kokkola Chemicals Oy, Managing director Jöran Sopo,
tel. +358-6-828 0111
AkkuSer Oy and Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta
Oy (NNH) have an agreement on the recycling of nickel-bearing waste separated out in
connection with the crushing of batteries. NNH processes the material in
Boliden Harjavalta Oy’s nickel smelting plant and NNH’s nickel plant;
the resulting final product is metallic nickel.
More information:
AkkuSer Oy, Managing director Jarmo Pudas, tel. +358-50-2130 591
PRESS RELEASE 23.10.2006
Tuottava Idea (Productive Idea)
competition, community serie 2006
Honourable mention
Idea: An answer to accumulator and battery directive
Company: AkkuSer Oy
Intention of the idea is give an answer to challenges of new directive,
where the idea is to get hazardous batteries and accumulators out of
dump pits and storages and get them to reasonable recycling. AkkuSer Oy
works as leader of technology between garbage companies, producers,
metal foundries and its own operations.
PRESS RELEASE 4.9.2006
AkkuSer Oy and Lassila & Tikanoja started co-operation
AkkuSer Oy and Lassila & Tikanoja (L&T) have made an co-operation
agreement of recycling batteries and accumulators. L&T delivers all
collected preprocessed batteries and accumulators for further processing
to AkkuSer Oy.
More information:
AkkuSer Oy, Managing director Jarmo Pudas, tel. +358-50-2130 591
www.akkuser.fi
PRESS RELEASE 20.3.2006
AkkuSer Oy and Stena Technoworld Oy tightened their co-operation
AkkuSer Oy and Stena Technoworld Oy have
made an agreement of recycling batteries and accumulators collected by
Stena Technoworld.
Tightening of co-operation is also
preparing for the European Union new battery and accumulator directive.
More information:
AkkuSer Oy, Managing director Jarmo Pudas, tel. +358-50-2130 591
www.akkuser.fi
SEMINARS
Ecomondo - 11th
International Trade Fair of Material & Energy Recovery and Sustainable
Development
November 7-10, 2007, Rimini, Italy
www.ecomondo.com
12th International Congress for Battery Recycling
June 20 - 22, 2007 Budapest, Hungary
www.icm.ch
Metal Kokkola
September 10 – 12 2006 Kokkola, Finland
www.ketek.fi/metalkokkola 11th International Congress for Battery Recycling
June 28 – 30, 2006 Interlaken, Swizerland
www.icm.ch
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