Power player... - Clothing Blog


	Power player...


	Submitted by admin on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 02:36
	LEBANON � A new battery separator membrane developed by Entek International of Lebanon is making major inroads in China, the world's leading producer of cellular phones and laptop computers powered by lithium ion batteries. Called Teklon, the new material is thin yet extremely strong. It separates the positive and negative electrodes of a battery, preventing them from touching so electrons cannot flow directly between them. Because Teklon is a porous material, similar to the breathable membranes used in specialty outdoor clothing, it gets filled with the battery electrolyte and allows ion flow between the electrodes. Entek hopes to garner a large share of the market, which is growing rapidly due to increased demand for cell phones and laptops. Eventually, tools such as drills and circular saws will offer more sales opportunities as the industry model shifts from nickel-cadmium to lithium ion power sources. Entek's goal is to increase Teklon's global market share to 40 percent or more. Entek also sees the potential for lithium ion batteries to be used in electric-powered vehicles. Rick Pekala of Entek's research and development department said Teklon is different in many ways from the traditional battery separating material that has been produced by the Lebanon-based company since 1987. "It's much thinner material, and there is no silica involved in its production," Pekala said. "No other company in the world has this product. There are similar products, but ours is of higher quality, produced at a better value and sold at a lower price than our competitors' materials." Teklon is 20 microns thick, about one-quarter the diameter of a human hair. Traditional separator material produced by Entek for vehicle batteries is about twice as thick as a hair. Pekala said there are no lithium ion battery manufacturers in the United States; all are based in Asia. There are an estimated 80 production plants in China, some of them owned by the Japanese. Korea is another key player. Entek produces enough Teklon per year for about 240 million batteries. A laptop computer might need from nine to 12 batteries. In some countries, new cell phones include a battery and a spare. "Batteries outlast most cell phones," Pekala said. "Most people change their cell phone every 18 to 24 months. ... so the need for lithium ion batteries is exploding." There are almost 200 employees at the company founded and owned by mid-valley resident Jim Young. Rob Shimmin is the production manager and has been with the company since its start, coming from the former Champion Mill. "The first building had been used to store hay, and there were still some bales inside when I started," Shimmin said. "I was hired as a supervisor, but because we didn't have any people, I helped put in production equipment." Today there are four shifts. Employees work 12 hours on three days and six hours one day per week. Shimmin said there is little turnover in staff. Many employees have been with the company since its first year, and more than 50 percent have more than 10 years' experience. Annually, Entek produces enough material for almost 80 million car batteries. The company has grown from one production line to multiple lines. "This is our busy season, and because we had such a hot summer nationwide, demand for batteries this winter is expected to be high," Shimmin said. "Batteries are damaged in the summer but die in the winter." Entek's main product is called Rhinohide and was originally 250 microns thick. Due to improved technology, the thickness has been reduced to 150 microns, yet the material retains its original strength. All production line equipment is produced by another Entek-owned company, also at the Lebanon location. Shimmin has seen continual improvement in production capacity over the years. The newest line produces more than 10 times the amount of material that the company's first line made. "We've continued to gain market share. We originally started with production for General Motors, but today we produce for everyone. We have the major market share in North America and about 35 to 40 percent worldwide. There's a little bit of Lebanon in almost every car in the country," Shimmin said. Entek produces some 250 different profiles of separator based on customer needs, Shimmin said. Currently, Entek ships its products from a warehouse in the Tangent area. A 135,000-square-foot warehouse is under construction on the Lebanon site. The company also has a manufacturing plant in Newcastle, England, Shimmin said. It services the growing markets of Europe, as well as emerging countries, such as those of the former Soviet Union. This is cache, read story here [ login to post comments ]