Exide technologies

Troubled lead acid battery maker Exide Technologies Inc. is asking the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to reject a California agency's attempt to seek additional environmental penalties after it has been formally discharged from bankruptcy proceedings.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is seeking to have the court amend the terms of the bankruptcy exit so that additional parties can submit financial claims that could cost the company another $20 million.

Exide Technologies has appointed two senior executives to boost efforts to upgrade its under-fire recycling facility in Vernon, California.

Thomas Strang has been hired as Vice President Environment Health & Safety and Charles Giesige is the new Vice President of Recycling Operations of the lead-acid battery manufacturer and recycler.

Exide’s disused lead-acid battery recycling plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US is being demolished. The facility has sat idle since 2009 when Exide asked the local Department of Environmental Quality to pause production, a procedure that should begin the permanent closure of the plant.

Exide had to apply for extensions to remain out of action while economic conditions were unfavourable for operation. Extensions were granted in 2009, 10 and 11 but denied in 2012 because the company was unable to prove market conditions would become ripe for restarting the site within 12 months. The demolition begun at the end of October and is expected to be completed by December 1^st.