Industrial Battery Group

Railway sector

In both mature and emerging markets, Saft supplies leading railway operators and train manufacturers with nickel-based batteries for back-up power, for communication, lighting, and air-conditioning systems, as well as for critical safety applications such as emergency braking and door-opening systems. Saft batteries are used in metros, trams, and high-speed trains.

Aviation industry

Saft is the world ’ s leading producer of high-technology batteries for the aviation market. In both military and commercial aircraft, Saft batteries ensure critical safety functions such as power back-up for emergency systems, avionics and for engine-starting. Saft is a key supplier for all the leading aircraft manufacturers in industrial countries as well as for all major air forces. The Group is the exclusive battery supplier for Airbus aircraft.

Industrial stand-by batteries

The IBG division develops and manufactures nickel-based batteries capable of guaranteeing back-up power in the event of grid failure. The oil and gas industry represents nearly 50% of the company ’ s turnover in this segment. Other uses include emergency back-up for the power generation and electricity distribution sector, as well as railway signaling systems.

New energy storage systems

Saft’s IBG division is now well positioned to benefit from the exciting new opportunities in the energy storage market, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy. Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for at least two of the higher-value applications – Community/Residential Energy Storage battery solutions and large energy storage systems for grid support and power quality. The Group has close relationships with many customers present in these markets and has already delivered systems for renewable energy storage projects, both for grid and residential applications.

Telecom stand-by batteries

The role of batteries for telecoms network back-up is to provide power in case of grid failure. Operators can opt for nickel-based technology rather than lead-acid batteries when reliability of the power supply is an imperative factor, particularly since the batteries are often installed in outdoor cabinets, in locations that are remote or subject to extreme climatic conditions. The higher cost of this technology is offset by the longer service life of the batteries. With a dedicated manufacturing line at its plant in Valdosta, Georgia ( U.S.A.), Saft has invested to produce the latest generation of Ni-Cd batteries for telecoms applications. The Tel.X range has been tested and qualified by several operators worldwide. Network operators have chosen the Tel.X range to replace lead batteries in outdoor installations. In parallel Li-ion products are also being developed for this sector, where battery-life requirements for certain applications justify the investment in advanced technology. Saft ’ s Intensium and Li-ion products for telecommunications are designed for long-life and maintenance-free uses in wireless networks, on-grid and off-grid applications, in industrialised and emerging countries.

Emergency lighting

Saft is a major player in the emergency lighting sector. Saft batteries equip lighting systems in public buildings as well as office and apartment blocks, and they must meet stringent domestic regulations and safety standards. The Group ’ s technologies and products are certified to meet these requirements. Two factors adversely affected sales of emergency lighting systems in 2009. Demand fell, with the significant slow-down in construction activity, and in parallel equipment manufacturers drew down their stocks although demand now seems to have stabilised. In Europe Saft has preserved its market share.

Lighting products are evolving to use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that require less power than conventional lamps. Consequently battery systems are smaller. At the same time manufacturers are looking to double the useful life of their products (from 4 to 8 years at 40 °C) and batteries are the determining element. The Saft Eco-life product range, with nickel-based batteries that last twice as long as conventional batteries, is designed to cope with more demanding applications.

Professional electronic systems

Saft designs, develops and manufactures rechargeable nickel-based batteries for a wide range of professional applications, including measuring instruments, medical devices, high-end industrial electronic devices, flashlights and portable lamps, and professional power tools for the construction and agricultural markets. In these high added-value sectors, Saft ’ s strength lies in the reliability and performance of its products and the quality of its customer service.

Saft is also involved in a number of projects for off-grid PV to supply power for highway and parking lighting, bus shelters and irrigation equipment, among others. Saft constantly works to better adapt its batteries to customers ’ service needs, by developing cells specifically designed for partial cycling use in portable medical devices, for instance. Other promising new industrial applications include industrial mobility such as electrically-powered lifting devices.