Batteries to 2012 (US industry forecasts for 2012 & 2017)

Abstract

US demand for primary and secondary batteries will increase 2.0 percent annually to $16.4 billion in 2012. Increases will be supported by the rising use of battery-powered products such as digital cameras, portable music players and laptop computers. In addition, the expected recovery in motor vehicle production will support demand for batteries. Market gains will also be assisted by an ongoing shift in the product mix toward more expensive batteries (e.g., rechargeable lithium cells) that deliver improved performance for high-drain electronic devices. However, falling prices for a number of batteries off of elevated 2007 levels and generally weaker economic growth will prevent even more rapid gains.

Shipments of batteries from US facilities are expected to increase 1.5 percent annually to $13.7 billion in 2012. Gains will be bolstered by ongoing efforts to improve the country' s advanced battery chemistry manufacturing capabilities, leading to higher shipments of Li-Ion and other batteries. Nevertheless, imports will continue to account for a significant portion of battery demand, reaching 27 percent in 2012.

Sales of primary batteries are expected to rise faster than secondary types through 2012, bolstered by increasing usage of primary lithium and other high-performance battery chemistries in high-drain applications such as digital cameras. Although alkaline batteries will remain the dominant primary battery type, accounting for 70 percent of sales in 2012, other types such as primary lithium and zinc-air will grow faster. Consumer applications will continue to use the largest share of primary batteries, accounting for more than two-thirds of the market in 2012.

Sales of secondary (or rechargeable) batteries will increase 1.5 percent annually to $10.6 billion in 2012. Gains will be supported by supported by a shift in the product mix toward advanced electronic devices such as MP3 players and multifunction cell phones, most of which require lightweight power sources with a high energy density. The expanding hybrid motor vehicle market will also bolster demand for advanced rechargeable lithium and nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. However, falling prices for many metals used in secondary batteries and lower production costs for more advanced rechargeable chemistries as lithium ion and Ni-MH will restrict gains in value terms.

Lead-acid batteries will continue to dominate the secondary battery market, accounting for more than two-thirds of sales in 2012. However, rechargeable lithium chemistries will see the fastest increases among all secondary chemistries through 2012, with demand increasing 6.0 percent annually to $1.9 billion. Growth will be driven by both rising use of portable devices powered by lithium ion and lithium polymer batteries and by technological advances which improve the performance attributes of these advanced batteries.

Study coverage

This new Freedonia industry study, Batteries, presents historical demand data (1997, 2002 and 2007) and forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by technology (e.g., portable devices, hybrid-electric vehicles, fuel cells, smart batteries), product (e.g., lead-acid, alkaline, lithium, zinc-air, nickel-metal hydride) and market (e.g., motor vehicle, consumer, industrial, portable devices, power tools). The study also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles industry competitors.