Historical overview
Lithium Technology Corporation Inc. (LTC) in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, is a global manufacturer and provider of power solutions for diverse applications. The company designs, engineers and builds large format cylindrical Li-ion rechargeable cells and engineers and builds custom Li-ion rechargeable batteries, complete with battery management systems for use in transportation, stationary power markets and military/national security markets.
LTC also manufactures its own unique cells. Our leading technology capabilities, manufacturing infrastructure and management strengths enable us to provide a unique breadth of solutions in battery design, manufacturing, marketing, and delivery. Industrial and government customers include Design Line International (US), Volkswagen (GE), Frazer Nash (UK), Duracar/Quicc (NL), RUF/Siemens (GE), USHybrid (US), Enersys (US and EU), ArvinMeritor (US), NASA (US), Lockheed Martin (US), ThyssenKrupp (GE), scientific research facilities and the national defence agencies of the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. Now the majority of our sales are in the automotive sector for full plug-in hybrid or hybrid electric vehicles and drive train developments for passenger and commercial vehicles.
Our rechargeable lithium battery technology base dates back to 1983. Since 1983, LTC has evaluated a wide range of lithium battery technologies including Li-ion liquid, lithium metal and lithium polymer chemistries. We have engaged in pilot line operations since 1996. Over the last seven years, various manufacturing steps were adapted to our pilot line to accommodate new techniques developed by us. These factors have allowed us the flexibility to match the battery design to the application. In 1997, we began focusing on unique large format cylindrical cells and large battery assemblies, comprised of a large number of cells and control circuitry. LTC?s manufacturing practices and know how combined with advanced in-house R&D efforts and collaborative relationship with material developers and research institutions have positioned the Company ahead of its competitors. LTC is not dependant on one type of chemistry, but can adapt to new developments in any of its target markets.
GAIA started in 1996 as a venture business to commercialize proprietary, novel manufacturing technology. In it?s manufacturing site at Nordhausen, Germany, GAIA has developed technology to continuously extrude Li-ion polymer electrodes. The result is a liquid-free extrusion process that operates at lower cost and with minimal emission of organic solvents.
GAIA?s plant is a modern facility with state-of-the-art equipment for electrode manufacturing, cell assembly, formation/testing and battery assembly. In 2000, after four years of development, GAIA succeeded in advancing its lithium polymer technology to the pilot production stage.
LTC merged with GAIA in 2002, where the holding entity is LTC and GAIA is the wholly owned subsidiary. By the end of 2003, LTC and GAIA jointly developed several new cylindrical cell designs for use in HEV batteries and in national security applications.
Today, LTC has two principal centres of operation; in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, USA and in Nordhausen, Germany. The Plymouth Meeting office is also the corporate headquarters for the Company. Sales into the U. S. and European markets are managed from each of the respective offices. Cells are manufactured in Nordhausen, Germany. The battery assembly for the European market is also done from Nordhausen. Battery assembly for the US market is concentrated/managed out of the Plymouth Meeting location.
