December 16, 2025: Lead battery giant Leoch International has announced a product procurement framework (PPF) agreement to support initial operations of its proposed US spin-off company.

Leoch chairman Dong Li exclusively told Batteries International last February that the proposed spin-off would support an expansion of business in the West.

The new PPF, approved by Leoch’s board and announced on December 10, would come into effect on the US listing of the spun-off Leoch Energy Inc subsidiary, with an initial term ending December 31, 2027.

Leoch said the agreement paves the way to supply the US business with products including SLI batteries as it ramps up its own manufacturing capacity.

However, Leoch said it currently expects that the US unit will have a new plant in place in 2027 which, by the end of 2028, would support a ramping up of capacity to meet the “vast majority” of demand.

Meanwhile, Leoch said Dong Li, who will hold a stake of more than 70% in the spin-off, abstained from taking part in the PPF vote in view of his role as a connected director.

None of Leoch’s other directors has a material interest in the PPF and proposed future transactions, the firm said.

In a related move, an independent board committee comprising all independent non-executive directors has been established to advise independent shareholders on aspects of the PPF.

Last August, Leoch said it was considering a possible expansion of production at its Mexico plant even before it opens — plus a potential new factory in the US.

In October, 25: the company secured what it said was China’s first UL 9540 certification for its Epoch integrated energy storage system.

Certification of the 5MWh AC/DC lithium ESS, Epoch-S2580/5015-40L, marked a milestone in the group’s development of innovative systems that are recognized as meeting international standards, Leoch said.