World Industrial Secondary Lithium Battery Markets

Research Overview

Expensive Safety Tests Lead to Rise in Prices of Secondary Lithium Batteries

While rapid advancements in industrial applications spur demand for technically superior batteries such as those with lithium chemistry, safety concerns of end users remains a significant concern. While in the lithium-ion (Li-ion) chemistry, the thermal runaway feature poses a fear of overcharging and exploding, there are problems associated with packaging and damage in case of lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion Poly) batteries. In order to allay such fears and avoid accidents, manufacturers of secondary lithium batteries can undertake a variety of safety tests and obtain safety certifications such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Technischer Uberwachungs-Verein (TUV). These safety tests cost huge sums of money, thereby raising production costs for manufacturers who in turn increase battery prices.

This Frost & Sullivan research service analyses the global industrial secondary lithium battery markets. It examines the different applications of lithium batteries and lists key market drivers and restraints. It further forecasts market opportunities across end-user categories and global regions.

Growth of Portable Devices Marks a Shift to Lithium Batteries

One of the main reasons for the tremendous rise in production of Li-ion batteries is the shift from other chemistries, especially nickel cadmium (NiCad) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH). New devices coming on the market are small, lightweight, and encompass a host of functions that require longer energy supplies. Li-ion cells provide three times the voltage of an ordinary NiCad and NiMH battery, and also aid in miniaturization of devices as they are compact. Further, Li-ion batteries do not suffer from memory effect, are environment friendly, require less maintenance, and are capable of fast charging.

Price of raw materials, especially cobalt, has seen an upward trend, pushing up cost of production. Subsequently, manufacturers have been passing on the increased costs to consumers through price hikes. "However, prices of lithium batteries are expected to come down as the chemistry gets established and gains in acceptance with the end users," says the analyst of this research. "Moreover, Chinese and other Asian participants armed with the advantages of low-cost labor and cheap raw materials may pull the prices down due to excessive competition."

Increasing Suitability to Industrial Applications Promotes Strong Overall Market Growth

The market for Li-ion and Li-ion Poly industrial batteries is an emerging one and holds bright promises for future growth. To ensure wider industrial acceptance, manufacturers are experimenting and improving upon battery features so that it can withstand rugged industrial environments ? high charge and discharge cycles and extreme temperatures ? and low maintenance. While, military, medical, and telecommunication segments have already begun the transition to Li-ion and Li-ion Poly portable batteries, areas such as heavy cordless drills and data collection equipment are fast exploring the possibilities of a change.

At present, North America (NA) is the leading market in terms of revenues followed by the European Union (EU). "However, with its many advantages of cheap raw materials, huge manpower, and excellent infrastructure facilities, majority of the market participants perceive the Asia Pacific region to be the engine of growth," says the analyst. "Hence, strong growth is forecast for Asia and it is expected to surpass NA and EU in terms of revenue contribution by 2011."