Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, June 10th, 2014 – Leclanché S.A. (SIX Swiss Exchange: LECN), specialized in the production of large-format lithium-ion cells and energy storage solutions and the Saint-Gobain division specialized in the research, development, and manufacturing of high-performance material films, ceramics, slurries, and inorganic material, today announced that they have entered into a collaboration agreement to co-develop a new ceramic separator for use in lithium-ion batteries, which if successful, will be used by Leclanché in its stationary product range and marketed by Saint-Gobain for use in other lithium-ion cells markets.

A joint collaboration to develop the next generation separator

Leclanché and Saint-Gobain have agreed to a collaboration program, which aims to develop a new separator material for use in lithium-ion batteries. Leclanché has already successfully developed and patented a proprietary ceramic separator that is manufactured by Leclanché in its factory in Willstaett, Germany, and that is currently incorporated in Leclanché’s lithium-ion titanate cells. The separator is a key element of the cell construction as it forms a strong barrier between the anode and cathode materials, the two main active components of a cell. The ceramic structure of the separator developed by Leclanché is a key safety feature of its lithium-ion titanate cells.
Under the collaboration agreement, Leclanché will outsource the manufacture of the existing separator to Saint-Gobain followed by the co-development of an enhanced separator material leveraging Leclanché’s technology and Saint-Gobain’s strong technology platform in polymers and inorganic grains and powders. The objective is to create a new separator with performance advantages. Pierre Blanc, Leclanché’s Chief Technical Officer commented: “I am delighted that we have concluded this joint development agreement with Saint-Gobain, whose depth and breadth of experience and capability in polymers and fluoropolymers is world class. Through this program we aim to develop the next generation separator, consistent with our product road map to reduce costs and enhance cell performance without compromising safety.”
Phil Guy, Saint-Gobain’s Business Manager, Performance Plastics, Tapes commented: “We are very pleased to be working with Leclanché in providing efficient battery systems for storage of alternative energy sources of energy such as Solar and Wind. Further, the safety of these systems are paramount in their design and we are proud to be working on separator solutions that will improve the efficiency of the system while providing ‘peace of mind’ to users of these systems. Together, we can help enable a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.”

About Leclanché

Headquartered in Switzerland, Leclanché SA is a leading provider of high-quality energy storage solutions designed to accelerate our progress towards a clean energy future. Leclanché’s history and heritage is rooted in over 100 years of battery and energy storage innovation and the Company is a trusted provider of energy storage solutions globally. This coupled with the Company’s culture of German engineering and Swiss precision and quality, continues to make Leclanché the partner of choice for both disruptors, established companies and governments who are pioneering positive changes in how energy is produced, distributed and consumed around the world. The energy transition is being driven primarily by changes in the management of our electricity networks and the electrification of transport, and these two end markets form the backbone of our strategy and business model. Leclanché is at the heart of the convergence of the electrification of transport and the changes in the distribution network. Leclanché is the only listed pure play energy storage company in the world, organised along three business units: stationary storage solutions, e-Transport solutions and specialty batteries systems. Leclanché is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX: LECN).

SIX Swiss Exchange: ticker symbol LECN | ISIN CH 011 030 311 9

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Leclanché’s business, which can be identified by terminology such as “strategic”, “proposes”, “to introduce”, “will”, “planned”, “expected”, “commitment”, “expects”, “set”, “preparing”, “plans”, “estimates”, “aims”, “would”, “potential”, “awaiting”, “estimated”, “proposal”, or similar expressions, or by expressed or implied discussions regarding the ramp up of Leclanché’s production capacity, potential applications for existing products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or potential future sales or earnings of Leclanché or any of its business units. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Leclanché regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Leclanché’s products will achieve any particular revenue levels. Nor can there be any guarantee that Leclanché, or any of the business units, will achieve any particular financial results.

Contacts

Media Switzerland /Europe:

Thierry Meyer

T: +41 (0) 79 785 35 81

E-mail: tme@dynamicsgroup.ch

Media North America:

Henry Feintuch / Ashley Blas

T: +1-914-548-6924 / +1-509-494-4053

E-mail: leclanche@feintuchpr.com

Media Germany:

Christoph Miller

T: +49 (0) 711 947 670

E-mail: leclanche@sympra.de

Investor Contacts:

Anil Srivastava / Hubert Angleys

T: +41 (0) 24 424 65 00

E-mail: invest.leclanche@leclanche.com