This paper introduces a technology that considerably reduces the time to cure the positive plates of lead-acid batteries. In each of several full-scale trials at automotive and industrial battery manufacturers, the simple replacement of I wt.% of leady oxide with finely-divided tetrabasic lead sulfate (SureCure (TM) by Hammond Group Inc.) is shown to accelerate significantly the conversion of tribasic lead sulfate (31BS) to tetrabasic lead sulfate (4BS) in the curing process while improving crystal structure and reproducibility. Shorter curing times result in reduced labour and energy costs, as well as reduced fixed (curing chambers and plant footprint) and working (plate inventory) capital investment. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.