November 28, 2025: VARTA AG has led tributes to its chief technical officer, Rainer Hald, who the company said died unexpectedly on November 23. He was 56.
The German battery brand publicly extended its condolences to Hald’s family and loved ones in a LinkedIn announcement on November 26.
Hald, who was also a member of the executive board, completed his training at VARTA in Ellwangen in 1989, then rejoined the group in 2000.
He went on to play a decisive role in shaping the technological development of the group for more than two decades, VARTA said.
As CTO, he was responsible for key areas of innovation and future development, providing strategic impetus and making a significant contribution to strengthening the firm’s position as a technologically leading group.
Hald’s professional foresight, integrity and high standards of quality and cooperation were of particular importance to VARTA, both internally and externally, the group said.
“With his passing, we have lost a personality who played an extraordinary role in shaping VARTA. His work will continue to be visible long after his tenure. We will honour his memory with respect and gratitude.”
Battery industry veteran Mike Dunckley joined online tributes to Hald, saying he was deeply sorry to hear the news: “I had the pleasure of meeting Rainer a few times and know that he was a great asset to VARTA.”
Bernhard Wolf, VARTA’s head of investor relations, said he would remember Hald for his positivity and how he always inspired colleagues in their work: “It was a pleasure to have worked with him. It’s great loss and an even greater loss for his family and loved ones.”
In an interview published last July by German technical organization, VDE, Hald said when he started his career, his main goal had been constant, professional development and to “really make a difference.
“Those were always my personal motivations and I could not have dreamed 20-25 years ago that I would have the chance to define the technology strategy of VARTA.”
Hald said he was proud that, as well as small rechargeable lithium ion cells, VARTA was the only manufacturer in the world that has six electrochemical systems in mass production.
Last year, Hald praised the research activities of VARTA and partners toward the European Union-funded ECO2LIB project.
A key result of ECO2LIB is the development of battery cells in the 21700 format, which are primarily used in electromobility and home energy storage.
“The project has made great progress in the development of lithium ion batteries, which we did not consider realistic just four years ago,” Hald said. “It’s an important step towards a clean energy supply. And we at VARTA are proud that we have been able to make an important contribution here.”
