06 October 2011
A-MAP Targets Illegal Dumping of Highly Toxic Battery Waste;

New Solite Technical Centre Opened to Battle Region's Extreme Weather Conditions' Impact on Batteries

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Leading UAE auto part distributor, A-MAP is taking the initiative to prevent environmental damage as a result of poor manufacture and recycle processes.

With cars a necessity for the majority of UAE residents, the environmental impact from the manufacture and disposal of automotive products is becoming a key area of importance for many drivers.

The battery is the most challenging automotive product to deliver in an environmentally-friendly way, as it is produced with raw materials that can be challenging to dispose of, such as lead-acid.

Globally, lead recycling is already a mature industry, but without the cooperation of industry leaders it is difficult to monitor and ensure the correct disposal methods are being adhered to.

Facing the challenge of delivering green processes and products to increasingly eco-conscious consumers head-on, A-MAP is dedicated to contributing to an environmentally sustainable society.

"We make it a point not to sell any used batteries to scrap yards, as we can't be sure of their disposal or recycle methods. There are reports in the UAE of illegal dumping of toxic battery waste in the open environment in order to reduce the cost of recycling the batteries," said Asad Badami, Managing director for A-MAP which is the leading distributor of automotive spare parts, batteries, tires and lubricants.

"To ensure we are at the forefront of environmental conservation, we collect and ship used batteries back to our own suppliers that have specific and dedicated facilities to recycle this waste in an environmentally conscious manner," added Badami.

Automotive battery life is significantly reduced in the region as, according to experts, excessive heat is one of the main reasons for reduced battery life - heat increases the discharge rate of the battery causing it to die out quicker.

To this end A-MAP is opening a new technical centre for its Solite brand of batteries, dedicated to studying the deterioration of batteries in the MENA region in particular.

"The centre aims to provide accurate data to the manufacturers in order to facilitate improvements to the Solite range that is specific to the extreme weather conditions of the region. Ultimately this could mean fewer discarded batteries that end up in landfills," said Badami.

A-MAP is also concerned about tires, many of which are being produced using highly aromatic oils, already classified as carcinogenic.

"We want to assure our clients and the general public that our aim is to continue to bring cutting-edge green technology and products to the UAE. The FENIX brand tires distributed by A-MAP are produced without carcinogenic, highly aromatic oils and are designed to flourish in the heat-sensitive environment of the Middle East," concluded Badami.

A-MAP's sales figures suggest that UAE customers are increasingly opting for quality over corner-cutting; since 2009, the company has grown by 300 per cent and it is expected to double in size by 2013. Expansion into new markets is currently underway, with operations already established in Africa, Asia and North America.

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About A-MAP
A-MAP specializes in the distribution of aftermarket automotive spare parts, automotive batteries, tyres, and lubricants. Headquartered in the 'bustling trading hub' of Dubai, UAE, A-MAP operates a network of branch offices in Asia, Africa, and North America.  With world- leading portfolio of brand names such as Solite, Fenix, Asimco, RBI, Crown, and Strada, A-MAP has mastered supply chain management systems to deliver the ultimate in client satisfaction.

For more information, please visit www.a-map.net.

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© Press Release 2011