May 21, 2020: International battery manufacturer EnerSys has launched another range of TPPL batteries for materials handling applications, the NexSys ATEX range, the firm said on May 20. The range allows materials handling vehicles to work safely in hazardous areas where there is an explosion risk, the firm says.

“Critically for hazardous environments, the batteries’ electrolytes are non-spillable, as they are absorbed into the AGM separator material,” EnerSys says. “They also recharge faster than gel and flooded batteries, with opportunity charging possible.”

The term ‘ATEX’ is derived from the French ‘ATmoshpères EXplosives’, which applies to atmospheres made potentially explosive by the possible presence of dust or gases likely to ignite or explode, as in oil and gas, mining and chemicals industries, where handling and logistics operations are likely to encounter such environments.

“These batteries combine a lot of the benefits of flooded and VRLA gel batteries,” said Mattia Bianconi, application manager Motive Power EMEA with EnerSys.

“They are based on our standard NexSys batteries and extend the same advantages to users in hazardous environments, such as mining and tunnelling, chemical and pharmaceutical plants, oil and gas, military and aviation, waste management, printing and paper, among others.”