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www.us-tech.com


Partnering October, 2017


Hold Your Fire: How to Ship Lithium-Ion Batteries Safely


By Rob Finn, VP Marketing and Product Management, Labelmaster L


ithium-ion batteries are dan- gerous cargo. Trouble starts when the separator between


the battery’s elements is compro- mised, causing a short circuit. The battery then overheats, reaches its “thermal runaway” point at 302°F (150°C) and bursts into flames. Fortunately, a high-tech and af-


fordable packaging solution to meet the challenge of safely and conve- niently shipping lithium-ion batter- ies has been created. Labelmaster, a specialist in dangerous goods trans- port, and Procyon-Alpha Squared (PA2), an aerospace technology com- pany, have teamed to develop the packaging system. The special pack- aging, branded Obexion, will include a complete line of protective packag- ing solutions engineered specifically


Semi-automatic Stencil Printer


for shipping and storing lithium bat- teries and devices that contain them. This new brand of packaging


uses passive technology to achieve flame management, thermal resist- ance, gas management, and ballistic and pressure management. The packaging is designed to mitigate risks by drastically reducing the po- tential for thermal runaways.


Multiple Formats The Obexion line of packaging


will not contain heavy inner packing components, such as gel-packs, or heavy liners, and will not contain ad- ditional pellets, other voluminous fill items or outer packaging. This facili- tates easy assembly and lowers ship- ping costs, due to the reduced weight. Labelmaster’s customers have


needed a more effective packaging solution that allows them to move lithium batteries safely and compli- antly. Through the company’s part- nership with PA2, Labelmaster now offers any company that handles lithium batteries or items that con-


“Our mission was to


develop a technology that would cost-effectively prevent the thermal runaway of


lithium-ion and metal batteries.”


tain them a cost-effective and easy- to-use option. With the final resolution of the


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n autoat tron routon


Automatic Pick & Place Machine


We offer the right solution for your requirement


Visit us at


productronica Booth 237, Hall 3


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COMPLETE AND FLEXIBLE SMT SOLUTIONS


D-92280 Kastl-Utzenhofen Tel. +49 (0) 96 25/92 10 - 0 info@fritsch-smt.com www. fritsch-smt.com


See at productronica, Hall A3 Booth 237


updated regulations and standards perhaps years away, this product provides all segments of industry, in- cluding airlines, cargo companies, re- cyclers, manufacturers, and retail- ers, an opportunity to plan ahead. However, since 30 percent of lithium batteries are shipped by air, such a mindset will be particu- larly important for air cargo companies. “PA2 became involved in


this important initiative when a global air cargo company ap- proached our research partner, Nochar, Inc., to create a pack- aging product different from current options that are overly complicated and not economical to use,” says James Kennedy, president of PA2. “Our mission was to develop a technology that would cost-effectively prevent the thermal runaway of lithium-ion and metal batteries.” According to Kennedy, the Obex-


ion packaging formats have passed stringent testing and were extremely well received when presented at the IATA lithium battery annual meet- ing, ICAO’s hazardous goods annual meeting, and before other regulatory agencies, air cargo companies, and battery manufacturers. The U.S. De- partment of Transportation has is- sued a special permit authorizing the use of Obexion packaging for the transport of damaged, defective or re- called lithium batteries and equip- ment that contains them. As product development pro-


gressed, PA2 sought a firm with broad dangerous goods transport expertise to serve as the sales and distribution arm and reached out to Labelmaster.


“As we developed the technolo-


gy, we became familiar with Label- master and determined it would be an ideal partner,” says Kennedy, whose team experience includes work with NASA on space shuttles and the space station. “Labelmaster provides capabilities that go well be- yond just selling a box, and will pro- vide training, technical support and customer service to clients world- wide, the kind of backing customers will want.” PA2 has developed some of the


best technology related to lithium battery packaging. This product rep- resents a terrific opportunity to ef- fectively get ahead of the curve as the ICAO regulations approach. Many of Labelmaster’s cus-


tomers have been frustrated with the issues of shipping lithium batteries today, whether it’s moving damaged or recalled lithium batteries by ground or an OEM unable to directly ship to some 140 countries because of the commercial airline ban. Obexion is designed to provide a simple, cost-


Obexion protective packaging.


effective and practical solution to help many organizations keep their supply chains moving and their own customers satisfied. Labelmaster specializes in help-


ing companies, both large and small, comply with the complex and ever- changing regulations governing dan- gerous goods and hazardous materi- als. Founded nearly 50 years ago, it provides expertise matched with a comprehensive assortment of prod- ucts, software and services. The com- pany deals with a variety of matters relating to dangerous goods, including OSHA hazard communication prod- ucts, DOT placards, labels, regulatory


publications, and UN packaging. Contact: Labelmaster, 5724


North Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60646 % 773-478-0900 E-mail: orders@labelmaster.com Web: www.labelmaster.com r


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