The global use of lead-acid batteries is ever growing and therefore the importance of cost reduction for the purchase, maintenance and waste disposal of batteries has become a high priority.

The battery industry has several issues:

• Life expectancy of a battery is 2-4 years
• Battery performance fades during the its operational lifetime
• Battery prices are relatively high
• Recycling batteries causes emission equivalent to 31 kg of CO2
• Existing service providers replace the failed cells and provide limited warranty

The key reasons for battery degradation are:

• Sulphation and crystallization over the lead plates
• Cell dries out and poor acid quality – leads to sedimentation which can cause electrical short circuits
• Corrosion
• Improper use and service