The type examination from December 2019 also includes approval for the patented battery, which guarantees safe use in gas (Zone 1) and dust atmospheres (Zone 21).

The advantages of this battery are its minimal maintenance requirements and long service life. Both the pressure-resistant housing of the battery and the pressurized enclosure in which the charger is housed allow the battery to be charged in potentially explosive atmospheres. There is no need to refill water or handle battery acid. As the battery is not only capable of intermediate charging, but even expects it, the driver can use his breaks to charge it. Valentin Adelfio, Member of the Management Board, Industrial Trucks Division at Stöcklin Logistik AG, revealed further details about LiTex in an interview.

Valentin Adelfio, Member of the Management Board at Stöcklin. © Stöcklin

materialfluss: What is the "killer argument" with which you would have convinced the trade fair visitor of your product in the shortest possible time?

Valentin Adelfio: The uniqueness of the Ex-protected Li-ion battery with the option of being able to recharge it at any time in the ATEX zone like a normal Li-ion battery opens up unprecedented work efficiency and availability as an absolute world first. Until now, you had to leave the explosion-protected room or even the floor to charge the battery. As charging usually takes eight hours, it is often necessary to change the battery during shift work in order to continue working. This enormous loss of time and the high costs for the separate charging room are completely eliminated with the patented Stöcklin LiTex energy package. On the other hand, productivity is massively increased.

mfl: What's next for the product in the coming months? Are you planning further updates/improvements?

Adelfio: The first customers are already using the devices very successfully. It is a niche market and we are currently producing one-offs, the aim is to produce small series and make the price even more marketable. We are no longer talking about prototypes, the product is mature and tried and tested.

mfl: What strategy do you want to use to reach your customers now, even without a trade fair?

Adelfio: We rely on our global network, sales channels, social media, review webinars, trade journals, etc. We are also in contact with competitors, ATEX retrofitters and leading specialists in the field of explosion protection. These companies have already announced their interest and see a use not only in intralogistics and production, but also for offshore applications. We will examine which collaborations make sense for us. We are also taking part in the VDI specialist conference on lithium battery systems in hazardous areas in Stuttgart at the end of May 2020 and will present the unique system there as best practice. From the middle of the year, we also want to carry out on-site demos for potential customers and interested parties.