Heliar develops lighter and more economical batteries in Brazil

Heliar brand battery manufacturer in Sorocaba (SP), the Canadian group Clarios works to nationalize a more efficient and lighter version than the current one, to help automakers in Brazil meet energy efficiency standards that will take effect in 2021. The company created with the global purchase of Johnson Controls' battery division also launched motorcycle electric batteries in the country in November, initially imported from Asia. We are the largest battery manufacturer in South America. Recently, with a project to modernize and acquire new robots, we have expanded our production capacity by 11%, to 10 million units annually. This year, we sold 9 million batteries for cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles and stationary. Has modernization reduced labor? We have 1,300 employees and the installation of 12 more robots – compared to five previously – will not result in a reduction in labor, as employees will migrate to other operations, but our production will increase without hiring. Moura is Heliar's biggest competitor. How much do you own from the market? We do not disclose, for strategic reasons. What is the company's overall performance? Clarios is the largest battery company in the world. It sold 154 million units in 2018 and had $8 billion in revenue. One in three batteries of cars launched globally is ours. We have the whole range of products, from conventional acid lead batteries, advanced acid lead and lithium ion. Will you make electric battery in Brazil? Last month we launched lithium ion battery for motorcycles, Heliar Lithium, imported from Asia. It is 70% lighter than acid lead and ten times more durable and therefore contributes to the vehicle reaching higher speed and faster, in addition to saving fuel. We focus on the bikes because our brand is present in nine out of ten bikes made in Brazil. This market is still small, so in the short term there is no local production plan. Is there a design for more efficient and more cost-effective batteries? We have several battery developments with automakers to help them meet the Route 2030 program. We already have the EFB (a common battery evolution), but to comply with the new legislation, we are investing in the creation of a special model for the end of 2020.