“The First International Zinc Air Fuel Cell Workshop” is held by IZA and ZESTEC in Shanghai-The Zinc Air Fuel Cell and Electric City Transit Bus powered by Powerzinc were invited for the demonstration

Shanghai, China – on December 6, 2005, International Zinc Association (IZA) that is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and International Zinc Energy Storage Technology Consortium (ZESTEC) jointly held The First International Zinc Air Fuel Cell Workshop in Shanghai Jinan Hilton Hotel on December 6, 2005. The State Council advisor and the leader of Coordination Office of China National Clean Automobile Movement, Mr. Shi Ding Huan was invited to be the VIP guest from the Chinese government and also the keynote speaker. Among participants, there were representatives from Shanghai Municipal Construction & Transportation Commission, Shanghai Urban Transportation Administration Bureau, Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission. Other participants were from all over the world, including the United States, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Israel, Australia, Taiwan and other zinc air fuel cell development companies, investment companies and media reporters. Altogether , there were a total of over 70 people attending workshop. 

In order to reduce the environmental pollution and decrease the dependence on crude oil, every country is aggressive developing the alternative energy. Obviously developing the technology of zinc air fuel cell is one of the most efficient solutions to solve the energy issues. Powerzinc Electric Inc. has been developing the technology of zinc air fuel cell for many years in Shanghai and already obtained the leading position and excellent achievement in the world. The first zinc air fuel cell (ZAFC) low deck electric city transit bus produced by Powerzinc has already succeeded and demonstrated in Shanghai, Beijing and other big cities. Therefore, IZA and ZESTEC picked the location of Powerzinc Electric (Shanghai) Inc. to hold the first international seminar and hoped that they can recognize the foundation of Powerzinc’s leading technology further more. This is to forge a group effort to push Powerzinc as its flagship company leading the “zinc economy”. 

During the seminar, Mr. Shi Ding Huan gave the full affirmation and commendation for promoting and popularizing the new energy application, and said "We expect, in World Expo 2010, Shanghai can take the zinc air fuel cell automobile to be one luminescent spot and demonstrate it in front of the world."

Mr. Shi thought that the energy is one of the most important factors to influence the social economy development, and it plays a decisive role for aggressive promoting the development of society, thus, the positive development and the utilizing the new non- pollution energy already became the attention of the national society. Because the zinc air fuel cell has the advantages of high energy, zero pollution, non-explosion, recycling function, so it is extremely suitable for the power of electric city transit bus. Meanwhile, during processing the solution of huge demanding of crude oil, we should also try our best to protect our environment; therefore, the electric bus powered by zinc air fuel cell would have more potential in the future.

At the same time, there are abundant natural reserves of zinc in China, it can be the first place of the world, and the quantity is extremely richer then petroleum, the iron ore and other non-ferrous metals. Mr. Shi thought that the development of zinc air fuel cell signified the national energy demand and that will establish above the relatively wealthy resources of foundation and also benefit the establishment of zinc foundation based on cycling economy. It is not only to accomplish the regeneration of utilizing zinc energy, it’s also to develop the bigger scale of the cycling economy. Zinc oxide in spent zinc anodes has very high valuable price of raw material in great demands. If we can consider to market it to the whole industry segments in medicine, fuel material, chemical industry and other business for recycling utilization, there is going to be an economical chain of cross industry and the development of  the new era of “zinc economy”.

During the seminar, some experts and scholars who came from different countries also gave detailed speech of zinc air fuel cell and its process of development, practical application, development prospect and so on, and they also submitted the solution of producing and supplying system of the zinc fuel. This is going to establish the solid foundation and practical application of the zinc air fuel cell. The main counselor and chief designer, Mr. Deqian Yang also gave a presentation about “Creating the zinc economy – to establish zinc air fuel cell’s recharging infrastructure.” In the afternoon, all the representatives were pleased to take the zinc air fuel cell (ZAFC) low deck electric city transit bus produced by Powerzinc from Hilton Hotel to Shanghai Pudong Long Yang road to take the magnetism aerosol train, so they can enjoy the beautiful scene in Shanghai and experience the high technology achievement. All representatives were very excited during the tour and also giving the high commendation to the technology of zinc air fuel cell on the electric bus. They also indicated when the electric bus under the low temperature, its performance is still very stable and well, and the speed is already completely satisfied the operation requirements of city transit bus.      

After the meeting, the representatives of IZA and ZESTEC expressed the intention of the collaboration with Chinese government and also supported the proposal that was submitted by Powerzinc about “Chinese ZAFC Electric City Transit Bus Commercializing Operation Company.” To support the ZAFC Electric City Transit Bus as the most important application to accomplish the “Zinc Economy”, and to develop the new generation of alternative energy industry in China and then introduce it to the international market.

The introduction of IZA and ZESTEC:

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, IZA is an organization coordinating zinc industry worldwide. Members include a majority of international leading zinc metal mining and smelting industries and also including some non-ferrous metal research organizations. Under IZA sponsorship, ZESTEC was established last year in order to promote of zinc air fuel cell technology and commercialization activities. Members of ZESTEC include several members of IZA companies developing zinc air fuel cell in several countries.

About Powerzinc

Powerzinc Electric, Inc. is a California-based Hi-Tech company. It is dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of advanced zinc-air fuel cells and entire manufacture facilities, along with fuel cells refuel service platform. Through years of R&D, Powerzinc has achieved significant breakthroughs in zinc-air fuel cell technology and developed the high power, large energy, long-lasting, low cost and environment-friendly power and energy source. Its innovative products - DQFC series of zinc-air fuel cells with creative design and process technology is a totally renewable energy for electric vehicles and various other applications today. 

About Powerzinc Electric (Shanghai), Inc

In Shanghai, China, Powerzinc has established a zinc-air fuel cell manufacturing and service model plant to commercialize the technology and its products. The plant is ready for commercial-scale production. The Company has started supplying DQFC series zinc-air fuel cells to manufacturers of Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters. In the near future, the new series of DQFC zinc-air fuel cells for Electric Buses, Defense and Security, Communication and other applications will be available to the commercial market soon to satisfy the real highly growing demand anywhere in the world .