Exide Technologies (www.exide.com) has announced it will idle its lead-acid battery recycling plant in Reading, Pa., by no later than March 31, 2013. The company says it will continue to run a plastics recycling operation at the Reading facility.

In an early November news release, the company also says it will maintain the Reading facilities and the permits and approvals necessary for future lead-acid battery recycling activities.

“This decision was based on several factors, including the dramatic swings in the lead market and the high capital investment needed, due to regulatory requirements, to remain operational in Reading,” says Paul Hirt, president of Exide Americas. "By idling this facility, we can defer spending the capital while still having the majority of our internal lead demands met through our other three recycling centers in Vernon, Calif., Canon Hollow, Mo., and Muncie, Ind. The decision is in no way reflective of the Reading workforce. We sincerely appreciate our employees’ dedication and commitment over the years,” adds Hirt.

Exide Technologies, based in Milton, Ga., has operations in more than 80 countries and refers to itself as one of the world’s largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries.