Fire hazard

Portable power bank company Roman has suspended operations and placed employees on indefinite leave, citing a massive product recall of over 490,000 units due to a defect causing potential overheating and fire hazards. Employees, some having worked extensive overtime, feel abandoned and unpaid. The company’s online store has removed all power banks, focusing only on accessories. Despite denying bankruptcy rumors, these actions signal significant challenges for the former market leader.

Romoss and Anker are recalling power banks due to potential fire hazards, following reports of overheating and ignition issues. Beijing universities had previously banned specific Romoss models after explosion incidents. Romoss attributes the problem to component defects, while Anker cites a faulty component from a vendor. The recalls impact the companies’ reputations and pose logistical challenges as major delivery services, like SF Express, refuse to ship the potentially dangerous devices due to safety concerns.

Anker Innovations is recalling several power bank models (A1642, A1647, A1652, A1680, A1681, A1689, A1257) due to a potential fire hazard. Inspections revealed unauthorized material alterations in battery cells from an external vendor, potentially leading to overheating and combustion. The company has removed affected products from e-commerce platforms and ended its relationship with the supplier. This recall highlights the importance of product safety for the popular brand with a global presence.