Ecobat expands battery activities

Ecobat Technologies has grown its battery business with the purchase of the battery collection division of German company Must GmbH and French battery distributor Batteries Accus Technologies.

Through the acquisition of Must GmbH’s battery collection vision, the European market leader in lead-based battery collection and component recycling will increase its presence in northern, eastern and central Germany. Must is located in Vienenburg, Lower Saxony, and specialises in processing scrap and ferrous/non-ferrous metals. Ecobat Technologies says the acquisition is in line with its strategy of expanding collection activities throughout Europe in order to offer customers a pan-European lead acid battery component recycling service.

The German company operated by Ecobat Technologies, Berzelius Logistik Service GmbH (BLS, has worked together with Must for almost 30 years; this partnership will continue. “We are proud that Ingo Must, managing director of Must, will stay the contact person for the customers and takes care of their demand with regard to lead battery collection and component recycling services,” said Matthias Ernst, BLS managing director and European director for Ecobat Technologies’ scrap lead and component collection and recycling activities.

“I’m delighted that Ecobat Technologies and Must GmbH have successfully completed this transaction and ratified their future commitments to each other; and most importantly their suppliers and customers; into the future. This new entity will provide world-class collection and recycling services,” added Ingo Must.

Batteries belonging to former Must customers will now be completely recycled in Ecobat Technologies’ secondary smelters and processing plants. Ecobat’s European recycling plants achieve a 95 per cent recycling efficiency when processing lead battery scrap, a level the company says is unique in the market. “As the world’s leading lead producer, we are excited to expand our scrap lead collection activities in northwest Europe and reinforce our reputation as the customer’s choice for collection and recycling services,” noted Rob Harris, president and managing director of Ecobat Technologies Europe and Asia.

In recent years, Ecobat Technologies has deepened its collection activities within Europe. “Our increasing commitment to this activity will enable us to continue to support and complement our customers’ growing demand for high-quality lead products, alloys and services,” Harris continued. “This acquisition further demonstrates our commitment to our customers in developing this sector.”

French distributor acquired

The purchase of Must GmbH follows Ecobat Technologies’ acquisition of Batteries Accus Technologies (BAT), a battery distribution company based in France’s Burgundy region. The deal, completed on 17 December, brings a fourth European battery distribution business into Ecobat’s Global Battery Distribution Division, which also consists of Manbat (UK and Republic of Ireland), Hefra (Netherlands), ACA (Belgium). Ecobat calls Batteries Accus Technologies an “excellent strategic fit” with Manbat and its Lucas, Varta and Numax battery brands, which will now be available to compliment the Varta and TAB brands that the French distributor already offers.

Frederic Levert-Frebault continues to manage the business, reporting to Manbat Ltd. managing director Steve Sheppard. Commenting on the acquisition, Sheppard said: “This latest acquisition demonstrates Ecobat’s commitment to develop the battery distribution division alongside its formidable lead production and recycling capabilities.

“Although it will trade independently, BAT will be supported by Manbat to assist them to realise the current development strategy under the leadership of existing director, Frederic Levert-Frebault. The Manbat marketing and commercial team is looking forward to contributing towards expanding the group’s presence within the French aftermarket, whilst understanding that Frederic and his team will create the commercial policies designed to deliver the growth.”