Leclanché will discontinue its activities in Itzehoe to further concentrate on the production of large format lithium ion cells

Yverdon-les-Bains, 30th of March 2010 – As part of Leclanché’s strategic focusing on the production of large format lithium ion cells in Willstätt, Leclanché Lithium GmbH will discontinue its small scale activities in Itzehoe, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Initially set up under Solid Energy, a spin-off of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Itzehoe plant focuses on the production of small format lithium ion cells. Due to the striking opportunities within the future market for large format lithium ion cells, the management of Leclanché Lithium GmbH has decided to shut-down the plant in Itzehoe with effect as of 30th of April 2010.

By this step, Leclanché will achieve significant cost savings that will allow the company to further concentrate its efforts on the expansion of large format lithium ion cell production. This strategic focusing is opening up fresh growth opportunities in the future markets for large format lithium ion cells, e.g. applications in hybrid vehicles or the storage of energy from renewable sources. In order to meet the steadily growing demand for this technology, Leclanché plans to commission additional production machinery for large format lithium ion cells in Willstätt with a capacity of 600,000 to 800,000 cells a year by 2011.

Media Contact:

Kilian Rötzer, CNC AG: phone +41 43 344-9673, kilian [dot] roetzer [at] cnc-communications [dot] com

Contact for regional media:

Christophe Lamps, Dynamics Group S.A.: phone: +41 22 308 62 22, cla [at] dynamicsgroup [dot] ch

About Leclanché

Leclanché is a leading manufacturer in Europe of large format lithium ion cells. Through a unique, licensed separator technology, the core element of lithium ion cells, Leclanché is capable of manufacturing cells with above-average safety features in an automated production process. The company’s core markets are industries that make the highest demands on energy storage systems, e.g. the aerospace industry, the defense sector and medical technology. Leclanché is consistently developing its business towards future markets for lithium ion cells. They include electric vehicles, large hybrid diesel engines and energy storage systems that enable better utilisation of the power supply system. Leclanché was founded in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains. Through the integration of a spin-off from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 2006, the company developed from being a traditional battery manufacturer to becoming a leading developer and manufacturer of lithium ion cells in Europe. Leclanché currently employs 84 staff and recorded CHF 16.33 million revenue in 2009. The company is headquartered in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland) and has factories located in Willstätt und Itzehohe (Germany). Leclanché is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LECN).

Disclaimer

This press release contain certain forward-looking statements relating to Leclanché's business, which can be identified by terminology such as „strategic,“ „proposes,“ „to introduce,“ „will,“ „planned,“ „expected,“ „commitment,“ „expects,“ „set,“ „preparing,“ „plans,“ „estimates,“ „aims,“ „would,“ „potential,“ „awaiting,“ „estimated,“ „proposal,“ or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding the ramp up of Leclanché's production capacity, potential applications for existing products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or potential future sales or earnings of Leclanché or any of its business units. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Leclanché regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Leclanché's products will achieve any particular revenue levels. Nor can there be any guarantee that Leclanché, or any of business units, will achieve any particular financial results.