Lithium-ion batteries have become essential in warehouses, industrial facilities and logistics centres. But as their use has grown, so too has the risk of fires – posing serious safety and operational challenges.

“Battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and can cause severe damage to both people and property. Our drive to prevent them comes directly from our operations: Kuusakoski recycles more than 80,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment annually for reuse and secondary raw materials,” explains Tapio Kuusakoski, Business Director, WEEE at Kuusakoski Oy.

Although battery fires are a global problem, Finnish recycling pioneer Kuusakoski found a partner close to home: the technology behind the Smart Battery Sensor is developed by Olfactomics, a Finnish innovation company founded in 2015.

A new solution that buys time

Through their collaboration, Kuusakoski and Olfactomics have developed a sensor that detects harmful gases – early indicators of ignition risk – released from lithium-ion batteries up to 90 minutes before significant rise in temperature or smoke.

The device monitors airborne gaseous compounds and analyses their composition using a patent-pending sensor and an advanced chemical analysis algorithm.

“The composition of released gases varies by battery chemistry, but our algorithm identifies critical failure before significant heat, smoke or fire. Until now, detection relied on recognising heat and smoke – leaving far less time to react,” says Antti Roine, CEO of Olfactomics.

Devices are managed via a cloud-based portal, and alerts can be sent to responsible personnel through Teams or Slack messages, SMS or phone calls.

Finnish innovation – global interest

The Smart Battery Sensor has attracted strong interest at international events. Industries already struggling with lithium-ion battery fires immediately recognised its benefits. “We’re currently exploring all possible applications. We’ve received enquiries about shipping containers and car park monitoring, among others. The interest has been huge,” says Tapio Kuusakoski.

The basic Smart Battery Sensor service is already available to order via Kuusakoski’s website. The service includes the device(s) with installation and access to the cloud portal with alert functionality.

Kuusakoski and Olfactomics continue to develop the sensor technology, aiming to introduce new features and expand its range of applications.

Facts: lithium-ion battery fires are on the rise

• Lithium-ion batteries have become essential to business operations and are present in many workplaces.
• Battery fires are difficult to control and require specialised skills and equipment to extinguish.
• These fires release highly toxic gases that penetrate traditional protective gear, posing serious risks to emergency responders.

The developers

Kuusakoski: A 111-year-old pioneer in the circular economy, Kuusakoski combines unique material expertise with industrial-scale recycling solutions. In addition to metals, the company recycles electrical and electronic equipment and prepares them for reuse. Kuusakoski has a long history of promoting sustainability, innovation and safety.

Olfactomics: Founded in 2015, Olfactomics is a deep-tech company developing advanced gas detection solutions for medical and industrial applications. Based in Tampere, its core expertise is rooted in a profound understanding of chemical recognition and analytics.

Read more about Smart Battery Sensor

Further information:

Ben László, Head of ITAD, Kuusakoski Oy, tel. +358 50 550 1815

Antti Roine, CEO, Olfactomics, tel. +358 40 841 0698