Battery refurbishment taking upper edge over recycling

Battery Solution International Ltd. (BSI) considers itself as a pioneer in the field of battery life extension and battery refurbishment for various types of lead acid batteries. Is it possible to achieve the same or similar performance from a refurbished battery as compared to new devices?
Solar, UPS, telecom, traction (forklifts and stackers batteries) and railways batteries are 99 percent lead-acid batteries. Yes we are getting similar performance results almost equivalent to new battery provided timely decision taken by client for refurbishment. Desulphation is an aging factor for lead-acid batteries which is easy to eradicate from plates if we get it in time.

Could you let us know more about the advantages of refurbished lead-acid batteries?
Our motto is “Yes to refurbishment no to recycling”. BSI Israel’s refurbishment process is zero lead and acid discharge process and 100 percent organic patented additive makes battery plates health as good as new. We do refurbish the battery at one-third cost of new battery. No air and water pollution in refurbishment like recycling process.

What are the pitfalls of refurbished batteries?
New concept of batteries revival is not being easily accepted in market but international top MNCs have understood and have now confidence after taken initial step trials 3 years back. Battery dealers and manufacturers are spreading negative marketing for refurbishment to catch their targets and misguiding clients aggressively. Even we have very low-profit margin but battery prices are also being dropped down whenever competition held up with refurbishment of batteries. Engineers do not wishfully listening to advantages and strong background of proven technology from Israel.

Why refurbishing would be a preferred option than recycling?
Internationally BSI Israel has added six more countries in last one year for their Battery Refurbishment Business. These include Myanmar, Bangladesh, UAE, Belarus, Oman, and Tanzania. It means battery refurbishment is now taking upper edge over recycling. The Govt of India has released new Battery Waste Management Rules Draft 2020 in February 2020 where battery refurbishment is defined by CPCB for the first time. Recycling generates hazardous air and water pollution whereas refurbishment gives same performance like new batteries. We do load test and compare it with manufacturer’s discharge data to achieve similar results. We give two years warranty on UPS, solar and telecom batteries and 1 year on traction batteries.

As renewable energy is gaining momentum, how do you see this opportunities for your business?

How is the growth opportunity for your business?
We have 300 percent year-on-year growth this year especially after COVID-19 pandemic where we are getting repeat order from existing clients and also getting new orders from new clients. We are targeting buses & truck fleet, commercial establishment like solar, telecom, and railways.

Will electric vehicles drive demand for refurbished Li-ion batteries?
Yes, new electric vehicle (EV) is having warranty of 8 years and replacement of battery means spending money 40 percent of cost of vehicle. BSI Israel has already got success in Li-ion EV batteries and next year they would transfer same technology to us.

What will be your strategies to create awareness about the advantages of refurbished batteries across the country?
BSI Israel’s another unit has opened recently near Chandigarh and very soon new outlet in Pune will start. We are targeting our customers via different media like mass mail, print, Facebook, YouTube, webinar with CII, industry associations and big institutions.

Recycling generates hazardous air and water pollution whereas refurbishment gives same performance like new batteries.
Harinder Mohan Singh, Founder & Director, Effulgent BR Resources LLP