The first Kainar-AKB partner conference

The official part of the conference was opened by plant director Yerbol Kuanyshevich Azhmagambetov. He thanked the plant partners for their contribution to promoting the domestic brand and noted that the technological leadership of the plant must be backed by a high professional level of consultants and service managers. It is expert advice at the point of sale that guarantees the end customer the right choice and a long service life of a modern battery.

Head of marketing Yuriy Lisai gave a detailed presentation on the history of the plant and its development outlook. Particular attention was paid to its technological base, which today allows it to make products that match global equivalents in performance and reliability.

Technology standard and competitive advantages

During the business programme the plant technical specialists went through the key advantages of the products:

• Classic SLI batteries and the Asian group: in the starter battery (SLI) segment Kainar-AKB offers economy, standard and premium solutions. The premium line uses Ca/Ca technology with a punched positive grid (Punch) and an expanded negative grid (ExMet). This minimises self-discharge and guarantees confident starting in extreme climates. The Asian size range (JIS) was highlighted separately: designed to the specifications of Chinese and Korean carmakers operating in Kazakhstan (OEM), it provides reliable operation of on-board systems and high cranking performance.

• EFB technology — an industrial quality standard: Kainar-AKB EFB batteries are a fully implemented technology developed for intensive duty cycles. The products use reinforced plates with special active additives that give high resistance to cyclic loads and faster charge acceptance.
  
  An important design feature is passive electrolyte mixing: special elements inside the case use the natural motion of the vehicle to circulate the liquid. This prevents electrolyte stratification, keeps the density uniform over the full height of the plates and extends battery life in intensive city driving.
  
  Another key feature is the use of reinforced separators, which hold the active mass firmly on the plates, prevent shedding and considerably extend battery life even in city use with frequent engine starts.

• Heavy-duty group and vibration resistance: for the truck segment the plant fixes the plate blocks with a special hot-melt adhesive combined with punching technology (PUNCH) for both positive and negative grids. This meets international vibration resistance standards for operation in harsh conditions.

• Safety and sealing system (Duplex): all premium lines and EFB/AGM series batteries have high-technology duplex lids. A labyrinth condensation system captures electrolyte vapour and returns it to the cells, making the battery completely maintenance-free throughout its life.
  
  The lids also carry built-in flame arresters and a central gas venting system, which rules out the risk of ignition from external sparks and makes operation in the engine bay safe.

AGM — the highest production category: participants were shown the new base for series production of AGM batteries. AGM is the most technically demanding process, available only to the largest plants in the world with precision equipment.

Kainar-AKB product comparison

Production cycle and certification

The practical part of the conference included an extensive tour led by chief technologist Ryskhan Smagulov. The tour began at the used battery recycling shop. This highly automated line, certified to international environmental standards, is the first stage of the production cycle and supplies the plant with its own clean raw material.

In the test laboratory, headed by Miras Kulbayev, participants followed the methods used to control incoming raw materials and to test finished batches.

On completion of the programme "Advanced technologies for producing lead-acid batteries, features of operation and service", Voltman employees received personal certificates.