Saft wins major onboard battery contracts for CNR Changchun`s

Saft wins major onboard battery contracts for CNR Changchun’s
metro trainsets in China’s emerging Tier 2 cities
Saft SRM+ nickel-based rail batteries will provide reliable emergency backup power for rolling stock
operating on new metro systems in the cities of Chengdu and Nanchang
Zhuhai, January 8, 2015 – Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech
industrial batteries, has been awarded major contracts by CNR Changchun, China’s stateowned rolling stock manufacturer, to supply the onboard battery systems for metro trainset
fleets currently under construction for the two emerging Tier 2 cities of Chengdu and
Nanchang.
Over a 16-month period, from January 2014 to April 2015, Saft is supplying 156 battery
systems to CNR Changchun for installation on Type B rolling stock for Lines 3 and 4 of the
Chengdu Metro and Line 1 of the Nanchang Metro. The battery systems, based on Saft’s
specialised SRM+ rail batteries, will provide up to 45 minutes of emergency backup power for
critical onboard services including lighting and ventilation.
China has around 15 emerging Tier 2 cities characterized by their size and economic
significance - Chengdu has a population of 14 million and Nanchang 5 million. Light rail and
metro rail projects are a high priority in China for Tier 2 cities in order to reduce the significant
congestion and pollution issues that exist within these major population centres. It is China’s
continued investment in urban rail that is a major contributory factor to the anticipated strong
growth of the Asia-Pacific rail market – estimated at 4.1 percent for 2014-19.
“These latest orders for the cities of Chengdu and Nanchang confirms Saft’s continued
emergence within China as a key battery supplier for prestige metro projects, following on from
previous orders in Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuxi and Beijing,” says Xavier Delacroix, General
Manager of Saft’s IBG Division. “The key to this success is the proven quality and reliability of
our specialised rail batteries combined with the high level of local system engineering and
service support provided by our Zhuhai facility.”
Chengdu Metro
Chengdu, the country's 10th largest city and an important economic centre in western China,
opened its first metro line in 2010. By 2020 it will have 10 lines and 350 km of track carrying
over 13 million passengers every day.
CNR Changchun is currently supplying 51 six-car trainsets for the Chengdu Metro – 24
trainsets for Line 3 and 27 for Line 4. Each trainset will be fitted with two battery systems
comprising 80 Saft SRM+ batteries.
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Nanchang Metro
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. Nanchang Metro Line 1 is
the first rail transit line ever constructed in the city and it is expected to be operational in 2015.
It will exceed 120 km in length in 2020 after Phase 2 is finished.
CNR Changchun is currently supplying 27 six-car trainsets for the Nanchang Metro, each
trainset will feature two battery systems comprising 78 Saft SRM+ batteries.
SRM+ batteries ensure extended maintenance intervals
A major advantage of the Saft SRM+ batteries for CRC is that they will need no special
attention between normal rolling stock maintenance examinations. Topping up with distilled
water is only required at two-years intervals and there is no need to change the electrolyte
during the battery’s’ lifetime.
Furthermore, compared to an equivalent lead-acid battery, Saft’s SRM+ solution can achieve a
50 percent reduction in battery weight for applications operating at around 0°C, helping to
optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry.
The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial
infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics’ markets. Saft is the world leader in
space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage,
transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 3,800 employees in 18 countries, 14
manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the
future.
Saft batteries. Designed for industry.
www.saftbatteries.com
Press contacts:
Saft
Jill Ledger, Corporate Communication and Institutional Director
Tel.: +33 1 49 93 17 77, e-mail: [email protected]
Marie-Christine Guihéneuf, IBG Communication Manager
Tel.: +33 1 49 93 17 16, e-mail: [email protected]
Six Degrees
Andrew Bartlett, Tel.: +44 118 900 0860, e-mail: [email protected]
Brunswick
Benoît Grange, Tél.: +33 1 53 96 83 89
Guillaume Le Tarnec, Tél.: +33 1 53 96 83 73
e-mail: [email protected]
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