September 9, 2022: Eckhard Karden and Mark Stevenson were confirmed as winners of the International Lead Award during the closing session of ELBC on September 7.

The award is presented to those who have made a sustained and sizeable contribution to the health of the lead battery industry.

As last year’s ELBC was held as a virtual conference, organisers said it was not possible to have a proper awards ceremony, so two winners were announced this year.

The two picked by the judging committee, Karden and Stevenson, each were popular choices and universally respected.

The selection was different from previous years, Eckhard, who is now regarded as a senior statesperson in the industry works for Ford, the automotive giant.

Stevenson is also particularly revered both for his encyclopaedic knowledge of lead in recycling and alloys but also — like Eckhard— for his ready willingness to help explain some of the more complicated issues that face the industry.

Pictured (left to right): Mark Stevenson, Andy Bush and Eckhard Karden