Chemstore is thrilled to announce that its innovative ionGuard Lithium-Ion Battery Box has won the BSIF Safety Product Innovation Award 2025, which recognises outstanding advances in workplace health and safety technology.
The award was officially presented at the BSIF Awards, held as part of the Safety & Health Excellence (SHE) Awards on 9th April, 2025, at The Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham. The annual event celebrates excellence and innovation across the health and safety sector, bringing together industry leaders and innovators from across the UK and beyond.
The ionGuard Lithium-Ion Battery Box stood out to judges for its groundbreaking design, offering a dedicated solution to the serious risk of lithium-ion battery fires. With their growing use in electric vehicles, warehousing, logistics and manufacturing, the hazards posed by damaged or overcharging lithium-ion batteries—such as thermal runaway, toxic gas release, and explosions—have become a significant occupational safety concern.
The ionGuard Lithium-Ion Battery Box is designed for the safe handling and storage of potentially hazardous or suspicious batteries. In high-volume battery operations, it’s common for testing procedures to flag batteries as questionable. Traditionally, these are placed in outdoor exclusion zones as a precaution.
However, the ionGuard offers a safer, more efficient alternative. If a battery were to enter thermal runaway while inside the box, the unit is specifically engineered to contain and mitigate the event.
Typical use cases include integrating the ionGuard into production or manufacturing workflows as a dedicated quarantine solution. For instance, if a battery begins overheating during charging or shows signs of physical damage, it can be immediately transferred into the ionGuard for secure containment and monitoring.
What sets the ionGuard apart is its dual-trigger fire suppression system, which can be activated either manually or automatically via heat-sensitive fusible links. This system deploys PyroBubbles®, a highly effective and eco-friendly extinguishing agent made from recycled glass granulates. Upon exposure to heat, these granules melt and form an oxygen-impermeable layer, smothering the fire and preventing re-ignition—far outperforming traditional fire suppression techniques.
Housed in a durable, steel-reinforced structure with Rockwool insulation, and fully customisable for different battery types, volumes and sizes, the ionGuard seamlessly integrates into existing safety systems, offering a scalable, effective, and environmentally responsible solution.
This award underscores Chemstore’s ongoing mission to push the boundaries of safety innovation and respond to the real-world challenges industries face today.
Commenting on the award, Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive the BSIF Safety Product Innovation Award. Being recognised for our cutting-edge innovation and technical expertise is a proud moment for the entire Chemstore team. This award reinforces our position as leaders in lithium-ion battery safety storage and highlights our commitment to developing solutions that protect people, property, and the environment.”
For more information, visit www.chemstore.co.uk
