Exide Creditors Cite Aluminum in Bid for Lead-Price Probe

Exide Technologies creditors are seeking to hire an antitrust expert to determine whether the bankrupt battery maker was the victim of a lead price-fixing scheme, citing probes of similar claims involving aluminum.

Exide makes lead-acid batteries used in cars, trucks, tractors and boats. The Milton, Georgia-based company filed for bankruptcy in June 2013, blaming higher lead prices and regulatory problems at its California recycling plant. Lead makes up 46 percent of the cost of goods sold by Exide.