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Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore UK, explores the key risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and shares the latest best practice for their safe storage and management.

The rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) across consumer markets, motorsports, and commercial fleets, is transforming the global automotive landscape. At the core of this transition lies lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, offering impressive energy density and performance. But with this innovation comes a serious and growing challenge: safety.

Though Li-ion batteries are powerful, they are also inherently volatile. Under certain conditions, including mechanical damage, overcharging, exposure to heat, or improper storage, these batteries can enter a state known as thermal runaway, which can lead to fires, explosions, and toxic gas release.

As well as presenting a technical problem for engineers, this risk spans vehicle design, manufacturing, transport, storage, service, and disposal. Whether you’re a manufacturer, motorsport team, logistics operator, or facility manager, it’s essential to understand the risks and be prepared. 

EV battery risk is a wide-scale issue

The risks tied to EV batteries extend far beyond the road or racetrack. Every phase of the electric vehicle lifecycle introduces potential hazards:

•   Battery manufacturing and testing: Battery production and quality control processes involve high-energy materials and volatile chemistries. 

•   Prototype testing: Thermal runaway incidents can occur during prototype assembly or shakedown testing highlighting the need for robust safety protocols in early development stages.

•   Onsite storage: As production scales up, the increased volume of batteries stored onsite raises the risk of incidents, making proper storage conditions and effective fire and gas detection systems essential.

•   Handling & storage: Improper handling of battery packs, whether during installation, removal, or warehouse storage, can lead to physical damage, short circuits, or undetected internal faults that later cause fires.

•   Transportation & logistics: How are EVs moved from factory to showroom? What happens in the event of an accident?

•   Parking & storage: Public and private facilities, including car parks and dealerships, may be underprepared. Some are already banning EVs entirely due to fire concerns.

•   Servicing & repair: Removed or damaged batteries represent a significantly higher fire risk.

•   Post-collision management: Even after an accident, a battery can ignite hours or days later if not properly handled.

Why the risks are increasing

High energy density = high potential for harm

Li-ion batteries store massive amounts of energy in compact spaces. In the wrong conditions, they can behave unpredictably, and a single failure can trigger a cascade of destruction in minutes.

Motorsports: The innovation frontier

Motorsport teams push the boundaries of performance. But extreme temperatures, vibrations, and charging/discharging cycles also amplify the likelihood of failure, turning the racetrack into a high-stakes testing ground for EV battery safety.

Mass adoption means mass exposure

As EVs scale globally, so too do the associated risks. One overlooked safety flaw can affect thousands of vehicles, turning isolated issues into large-scale safety liabilities. Public trust in EVs is hard-won, and easily lost.

Real-world incidents prove the point

In the United Kingdom, lithium-ion battery fires are escalating at a concerning rate. 

According to data from QBE Insurance, UK fire services responded to 1,330 lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, marking a 93% increase from 690 incidents in 2022. This surge spans various applications, including electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, and e-scooters.

The safety expectations are clear, and getting stricter

Insurers, regulators, battery manufacturers and safety-conscious organisations now expect robust, proactive protocols. These include:

•   Outdoor (ideally), fire-rated (not just fire-resistant) temperature-controlled battery storage units 

•   Rapid-response containment tools like fire blankets and extinguishing agents

•   Temperature monitoring, gas detection, and thermal cameras

•   Strict handling and storage of damaged or removed batteries – best practices dictate damaged batteries should not remain onsite for more than 30 days and must be stored in insulated, fire-rated containers, not just fire-resistant ones

Getting ahead of the problem

Overstating the safety risks of EVs could undermine climate progress but that doesn’t mean we should downplay the risks. We must: 

•    Ensure everyone involved with EVs understands the risks

•    Design safety systems that assume failures will occur, not that they won't.

•    Shift from a reactive to a resilient safety culture

Conclusion: Innovation without safety is irresponsible

The shift to electric vehicles is essential, exciting and irreversible. But with new technology comes new responsibility. EV battery safety is foundational, not optional. Those who lead on safety will lead the industry.

Chemstore is proud to support world-leading vehicle manufacturers, and infrastructure providers with best-in-class, award-winning lithium-ion battery safety solutions. The leaders are already acting. Are you?

Get in touch to find out how Chemstore can help you mitigate risk, reduce liability, and futureproof your operations. For more information, visit www.chemstore.co.uk

 The Fluid and Climate Controls Europe (FCCE) Division of Parker Hannifin, the global leader in motion and control technologies, announces that its 37 mm Ex d m coils have attained new ATEX and IECEx Type Examination Certificates according to the latest explosion protection (Ex) standards (Table 1).

In addition to these global certifications, Parker has updated Ex approvals in Korea (KC) and China (CCC), while also securing a new certification for Japan (JPEx) for selected models. These advancements enable industries worldwide to benefit from a safer, globally compliant solution for explosion-proof solenoid valve applications.

Table 1. Latest ATEX and IECEx Certification Standards for Parker’s 37mm Ex d m Coils.

The upgraded 37 mm Ex dm coils are ideally suited for power generation, oil and gas, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and chemical production. Designed to control solenoid valves in Zone 1/21 hazardous areas, these coils ensure compliance with Ex dm requirements, preventing the risk of explosion in areas where flammable gases, vapors, or dust are present.

Equipped with a 360-degree rotatable, fiberglass-reinforced plastic housing, a feature unique to Parker, these coils allow for flexible installation, particularly in confined spaces. The coil and protection devices are fully encapsulated in epoxy resin, ensuring shock resistance and corrosion protection. These coils are compatible with all Parker ATEX solenoid valves within the specified Coil Group.

A key advantage of these coils is their modular design, which allows different coil options to be mounted on the same valve while enabling multiple valve types to share a single coil design. This unique feature reduces inventory complexity, optimizes total cost of ownership, and improves overall operational efficiency.

“The latest upgrade reflects our commitment to staying ahead of evolving safety standards while delivering the highest quality products to our customers," said Fabio Colombo, Product Manager at Parker. “Manufactured in Italy, these coils provide a flexible and globally certified solution, ensuring reliability and compliance even in the most demanding applications.”

For further information about Parker’s 37 mm Ex dm coils, please visit: https://ph.parker.com/gb/en/product-list/iecex-atex-electrical-parts-for-fluid-control-solenoid-valves

Edinburgh’s Zelim has won this year’s British Safety Council (BSC) Health and Safety Transformation Award for its AI-driven automatic man overboard (MOB) detection system, ZOE.

ZOE was chosen from a shortlist of ten organisations worldwide, including energy companies Saudi Aramco and Pertamina, and safety body the Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA), highlighting its global relevance and transformational impact across the maritime, offshore, and defence sectors.

Developed with input from the US Coast Guard, ZOE uses machine learning and a proprietary dataset of over 7 million maritime images to automatically detect and track persons in the water, even in extreme conditions.

It boasts a 96.8% detection probability from 300 metres and eliminates the need for manual visual confirmation or wearables. Essentially, it distinguishes humans from small craft, seabirds and other objects in the water.

“ZOE addresses the most critical gap in maritime safety and security response,” said Sam Mayall, CEO of Zelim. “Knowing exactly when and where someone has gone overboard. This prestigious award validates the operational importance of what we’ve built.”

ZOE integrates with existing sensor and camera systems to deliver a continuous lookout, day and night. When an incident is detected, it triggers alerts, geo-tags the incident, logs video footage, and provides crews with a scripted mayday response and recovery checklist.

Already deployed on North Sea jack-up rigs and a UK-operated cruise vessel and soon to be deployed on a Navy frigate, ZOE is currently undergoing trials with asset operators, maritime agencies, port authorities and defence agencies globally, not only to reduce MOB fatalities, but also to prevent navigational accidents and security breaches.

Since its foundation in 1957, the British Safety Council campaigns to protect workers from accidents, hazards and unsafe conditions, playing a decisive role in the political process that has led to the adoption of landmark safety legislation in the UK.

Sponsored by Croner-i, the BSC’s Health and Safety Transformation Award recognises organisations each year that have significantly changed or transformed any aspect of health, safety, or wellbeing through the innovative use of information.

The ZOE system also holds Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register for ISO 21195, the man overboard detection standard, and will soon complete testing to become the worlds first fully type approved man overboard detection system.

For more information, visit www.zelim.com

The newly released EEMUA 249 (Edition 1) brings together guidance for operators to consider when managing the risk posed by piping dead-legs in all types of process plants and storage facilities.

The new publication, ‘Factors to consider when managing the mechanical integrity of dead-legs on industrial facilities’, supplements existing guidance by challenging assumptions, highlighting specific learning points identified by members of EEMUA (Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association) and providing examples of inspection needs.

EEMUA 249 has been developed by front-line engineers from major companies in EEMUA membership with extensive experience of managing the integrity of dead-legs across petrochemical, chemicals and gas facilities. The starting point was the learning from a catastrophic failure of a dead-leg that released boiling hydrocarbon from a full-bore discharge into an operating plant – the incident was the subject of a safety alert issued by the UK regulator, the Health and Safety Executive. The learning was addressed and sparked a wider review of the whole management process for the integrity of dead-legs.

The guidance in EEMUA 249 can be used by companies that are establishing their management process for dead-legs and equally by companies with existing policies and procedures, to challenge that they meet good practice in this area.

www.eemua.org

As the textile and laundry industries come under increased scrutiny to better manage ‘forever chemical’ contamination, phs Besafe is calling for more commercial laundries to ban retreating garments with PFAS.

PFAS (Poly and perfluoroalkyl substances), known as ‘forever chemicals’, are a group of man-made chemicals that never break down and accumulate in the environment and in our bodies, causing serious health conditions and damage to the planet.

Although PFAS are still used in everything from frying pans to beauty products, textiles account for around 35% of the total demand for PFAS, according to the European Environment Agency.

PFAS chemicals are low-cost and offer excellent stain and water repellent properties, making them popular choices for PPE and specialist workwear garments.

The European Environment Agency estimates that up to 143,000 tonnes of PFAS is used by the textile industry in the EU alone. It is often manufactured into the fabric of garments and added to finished items as an impregnation, finish or membrane to repel stains, water and even chemicals

phs Besafe, one of the UK’s leading PPE and workwear providers and commercial laundries, has already made the commitment to ban or restrict PFAS from its services wherever alternatives are available.

They have a long-term partnership with industry-leading manufacturer Tranemo Advanced Workwear to ensure they can supply customers with the highest quality, PFAS-free workwear garments wherever a PFAS-free alternative is available.

The team has also been working with Ecolab, a global sustainability leader that offers environmental solutions to businesses, to ensure phs Besafe has PFAS-free laundry treatments for all the specialist workwear it washes at its commercial laundries.

“Customers need to think about how their garments are being laundered, as well as what their garments are made of,” said Rob Piazza from phs Besafe.

“Garments with stain, water or chemical repellent finishes need to be retreated during the laundry process in order to maintain those vital properties. They are often retreated with PFAS because they are cheap and easy to come by but it’s just adding to our contamination problem.

“There are ways to retreat these garments without using PFAS. We know because we will only use PFAS-free retreatments in our laundries to reduce garment and water contamination. There is a lot of innovation happening around PFAS-free alternatives and we stay at the forefront of those because we understand the damage PFAS are doing – and it’s only getting worse.

“The UK needs to change its current attitude to textiles. They want them fast and cheap, and quality and sustainability are further down the list. We need a culture shift, where value is placed on doing the right thing and health, safety and well-being are the drivers of the market.

“End users must look at the whole supply chain and find out how garments are being made and retreated and then ask whether that kind of manufacturing and treatment is acceptable.”

PFAS chemicals are proven to accumulate in the environment, water systems and inside our bodies and are known to cause damage to the planet and serious health problems, including cancer, infertility, immune problems and high cholesterol.

In February 2025, France banned PFAS in clothing and a ban on all textiles is already set for 2030. The European Environment Agency says that The European Chemicals Agency is considering a universal restriction on all PFAS including in textiles to mitigate the environmental and health risks. PFAS are not currently subject to many UK restrictions.

phs Besafe is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of specialist PPE workwear and laundry solutions, ensuring the safety and comfort of thousands of people across the UK.

Its in-house laundry and drying processes are unique to the industry, offering a low energy, high quality service using the very latest eco-friendly technologies and products.

• Ex 000 – Basic knowledge and awareness to enter a site that includes a classified hazardous area
• Ex 001 – Principles of protection in explosive atmospheres knowledge
• Ex 003 – Install explosion-protected equipment and wiring systems
• Ex 004 – Maintain equipment in explosive atmospheres
• Ex 005 – Overhaul and repair of explosion-protected equipment
• Ex 006 – Test electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
• Ex 007 – Perform visual and close inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
• Ex 008 – Perform detailed inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres
• Ex 011 – Basic knowledge of the safety of hydrogen systems

Process filters and housings made in the UK are set to feature in South Africa at a major industry event for the global energy industry.

Amazon Filters, a leading manufacturer and exporter, will highlight the benefits of its products and services at the forthcoming African Petrochemicals & Energy roadshow.

The one-day event, in Secunda, South Africa, on 31 July 2025, is designed to bring delegates together from across the petrochemical, oil and gas, and energy sectors.

Many attendees will come from supply chain businesses offering equipment, services and solutions to worldwide energy producers.    

Amazon Filters is represented at the show by long-standing regional distributor partner National Separations (Pty) Ltd (Natsep), whose team will demonstrate technical aspects of the filters and housings and explain their efficiency and sustainability benefits.

Headquartered in Johannesburg and with marketing, sales, distribution and service hubs in Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha, Natsep provides a range of solutions involving Amazon Filters products.

Core activities include laboratory water purification, process filtration technologies for clarification and sterilisation, and microbial and particle quality control testing.   

Padrig O’Hara, Amazon Filters’ Project Specialist for the oil and gas sectors, said the products on display at Secunda will include SupaSep LGP, the latest evolution of the firm’s liquid-gas coalescers, and newly launched sustainable polypropylene versions of its flagship meltblown filter ranges SupaSpun II, SupaGard, Contour and Contour Gas.

Padrig said: “We aim to highlight how our design capabilities create advanced filter vessels and internal components that can aid critical filtration processes in the oil and gas, energy and renewables sectors.

“We provide essential filtration technology and energy-efficient solutions that enhance efficiency, performance and sustainability.”

It is the second year in a row that Amazon Filters and Natsep have partnered on a presence at a major South African energy industry expo.

In October 2024, the firms exhibited jointly at The Sasolburg Petrochemicals & Energy roadshow at Stonehaven on Vaal, Vereeniging.

This summer’s Secunda African Petrochemicals & Energy roadshow takes place at the Graceland Hotel, Casino & Country Club. For more information, visit www.africanpetrochemicals.co.za.   

EEMUA, the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association, has announced the appointments of Clare Booth from Syngenta, Phil McEvoy from UM Terminals, and Ian Watson from E.ON to the EEMUA Board as non-executive member Directors.The EEMUA Board provides leadership for carrying out the aims and objectives of the Association, primarily to help members and stakeholders worldwide to improve the safety, efficiency and compliance of some of the world's most important industrial assets.

Clare Booth is a chartered integrity and materials engineer with over 30 years’ experience within asset integrity management specialising in inspection and corrosion control, and recently in the development and implementation of global engineering standards and creation of global collaboration to deliver improved process safety management through effective asset care within the Syngenta group. Claire said: “As a board member, I intend to share my experience and understanding of challenges encountered within international manufacturing to drive change, promote good engineering practices for all and embrace future challenges.”

Phil McEvoy is a chartered mechanical engineer working within oil, gas and infrastructure businesses for the last 25 years. For the past 15 years he has been working in businesses that operate within bulk liquid storage, specialising in asset integrity management combined with the commercial management of storage assets. His current position of Managing Director for UM Terminals has allowed Phil to fully integrate management systems for inspection and integrity with commercial and sales. Phil said: “I am looking forward to being able to use my understanding of the challenges of asset owners and operators within the storage and process industries to help shape the future initiatives and development of EEMUA.”

Dr Ian Watson is a chartered materials engineer with over 20 years’ experience working in asset integrity management, risk management, process safety and product safety. As the Asset Management and Process Safety Manager for E.ON Infrastructure Services (UK), Ian has recently introduced a Product Safety Assurance Framework and an Operational Technology Cyber Security Management System for E.ON’s diverse engineering asset portfolio, whilst also providing engineering governance and technical support to various heat and power asset optimisation and decarbonisation programmes, within E.ON and in partnership with its clients. Ian said: “My experiences within a large energy supplier have given me insights into many of the engineering problems facing EEMUA members, from ageing assets and engineering talent retention/development to decarbonisation and cyber security. I look forward to supporting EEMUA’s activities whilst also looking at opportunities for members to be engaged in the Association’s technical programme.”

On the appointments EEMUA Chair John Whitfield commented: “I would like to welcome Clare, Phil and Ian to the EEMUA Board. Their appointments are great additions that will strengthen and add to the robustness of the board. Each has a wealth of experience and knowledge in their own fields that will help shape the strategic direction, future initiatives and work of EEMUA as it moves forward in changing times.

www.eemua.org

​Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, has been awarded a series of decarbonisation contracts with a value of c.$100m for flare gas reduction and carbon efficiency project solutions across the largest oil fields in Iraq.  Wood will deliver brownfield engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and modifications solutions to enhance operational efficiency and minimise environmental impacts, in support of Iraq’s commitment to reduce gas flaring by 78% by the end of 2025.  

Wood has a decades-long track record of providing decarbonisation solutions for major operators in Iraq and has implemented the country’s largest flare gas reduction programme to date. 

Ellis Renforth, President of Operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “We are working in partnership with our clients to achieve Iraq’s energy ambitions and deliver a sustainable energy future for the country.  Wood Iraq has extensive knowledge of our clients' infrastructure, operations and goals, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and reduce the impact of gas flaring while maintaining critical production.”  

The reimbursable contracts will be delivered by Wood’s team in Iraq and the UAE. Wood will recruit 60 new employees to support the successful delivery of these projects.  

www.woodplc.com