Welsh packaging firm to set worldwide standard on transportation of batteries

The UK arm of a global packaging firm has secured government funding towards a project that will set the world-wide standard on the transportation of batteries.

Tri-Wall Europe Ltd has secured more than £700,000 of funding towards their £1.18million stake in a project that will set the standard for the future on how lithium-ion batteries are transported worldwide.

Tri-Wall employs more than 300 people in the UK with 115 employees at its UK headquarters and factory at Monmouth. It is the first business in Wales to secure this type of funding.

Tri-Wall are part of a consortium of eight industry experts, research and training organisations, which will develop the latest battery technologies, as well as setting the packaging and handling in-transit standards for lithium-ion batteries.

Total funding for the joint project, named LIBRIS, comes to just under seven million pounds and was granted by the UK Government through the Faraday Battery Challenge.

Bringing together world-leading businesses and academia to accelerate the research needed to develop the latest electric car battery technologies, the Faraday Battery Challenge, is a crucial part of the UK's move towards a net zero emissions economy.

Gavin Peters, the Managing Director of Tri-Wall's UK region, says: "This project is of enormous significance to Tri-Wall and to the future development and transportation of lithium-ion batteries, as we move towards more sustainable methods of powering our vehicles".

"The funding will result in future job growth and allow Tri-Wall to retain expertise in the UK. The establishment of safe transit packaging will also ensure job security within the UK battery industry."

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles, but they are growing in popularity for military and aerospace applications.


Tri-Wall are global leaders in technical packaging in the automotive industry and they are experts in UN Dangerous Goods and 4G battery packaging. The project specifically addresses aspects of enhanced safety related to eliminating thermal runaway.

Mike Valentine, Tri-Wall's Business Development & Projects Lead, says: "This project is an example of where collective expertise is being brought to bear on the biggest challenges facing the development of next-generation electric car batteries, from their power source and performance to safety and manufacturing."

ENDS

Editor's notes:

LIBRIS stands for Lithium Ion Battery Research In Safety.

As a result of the Faraday Battery Challenge funding, Tri-Wall is recruiting for a dedicated project team to include a Design Manager, a Junior Design Manager, a Lab Technician and a Research Assistant.

In the last two years, the Tri-Wall UK brand has doubled in size following a £3.5million investment in its flagship factory, extending the production hall, upgrading their corrugator machine to increase capacity and creating a new reception area. The company also has further sites at Swansea, Wolverhampton, Manchester and Tyneside.