NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom, 2009/05/27 - Hearing aid battery manufacturer Rayovac has begun shipping the first of its new high performing zero mercury batteries to customers around Europe.

The latest innovation in green hearing aid battery technology has been introduced to the European market by Rayovac.
The UK-based manufacturer has begun shipping the first of its new high-performing zero mercury batteries to customers around Europe.

The new product, which is the longest lasting mercury free battery on the market, has been met with positive feedback and initial demand is strong. The latest International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) test data shows its performance is up-to 30 per cent superior to other competitive mercury free batteries.

It is introduced at a time when consumer demand for an environmentally friendly product that delivers optimal performance has never been higher. The US states of Connecticut and Maine, along with Canada, are banning mercury containing batteries on June 30th this year. The rest of the USA will follow suit by 2011.

Mercury – a heavy metal - has traditionally been used as a stabiliser in hearing aid batteries. It is also a good electronic conductor and boosts the voltage of cells. Traditional mercury containing hearing aid batteries include upto 25 mgs of mercury per cell on average.

In the construction of the new cell, Rayovac has used cleaner processes and materials to eradicate the need for mercury. If mercury was removed from all hearing aid batteries, up to 6,300 kilograms less mercury – or the equivalent of 15,000 footballs – would be released into the environment each year.

Vince Armitage, Rayovac divisional vice president said: “This is a major breakthrough in hearing aid battery technology and sets a new standard for the industry. It answers the call for an environmentally product that delivers outstanding performance. The initial response has been incredibly positive and demand is high.

“Mercury has been a key component of hearing aid batteries since they were first produced – primarily for its use as a conductor and also for helping to stabilise the battery by combating gassing in the cell.

“Overcoming this barrier and finding an alternative procedure that suppresses cell gassing has been one of the main challenges in developing a mercury free battery. We’ve been able to achieve this through innovations in the cell composition to create a long lasting battery that’s good for the environment.”

The zero mercury battery is available in sizes 10, 13, 312 and 675 from August this year. The battery lasts as long as standard Rayovac batteries, (rayovac.com) has a similar capacity but works at a slightly lower voltage.

Agency / Source: Mitchell Halton Watson PR - MHW Ltd

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