Frost & Sullivan: Lithium Battery Market Continues Rapid Growth Through Niche Market Applications
SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to their superior performance
and capabilities over other batteries, demand for Lithium batteries is on the
rise. In the past few years, there has been an increase in demand to satisfy
advancements occurring in portable and miniaturized electronics products. The
ability of Lithium batteries to provide the highest energy density storage
possible enables them to meet these growing trends. According to new research
conducted by Frost & Sullivan (www.frost.com), the industry is projected to
produce 2.75 million units annually, totaling $4.94 billion in revenue by
2005.
In terms of revenues, rechargeable batteries currently drive the market,
but primary batteries are gaining ground. This strategic marketing consulting
report by Frost &Sullivan, World Lithium Battery Markets provides an analysis
of six Lithium battery market segments: four primary battery segments and two
rechargeable battery segments.
"Although revenue growth will not be as fast or as high as the
rechargeable Lithium battery markets, primary Lithium battery revenue growth
can be maintained by emphasizing strategies for current and potential end-user
application markets, the allocation of resources to R&D, and the establishment
of strong partnerships and alliances," explains Power Supplies and Batteries
Research Analyst Dora Fong.
The six segments included in this study are Lithium Sulphur Dioxide,
Lithium Thionyl Chloride, Lithium Manganese Dioxide, Lithium Polycarbon
Monofluoride, Lithium-Ion, and Lithium-Ion Polymer. According to Fong, a key
market growth opportunity is the continued application of strategies in niche
markets that utilize these batteries. For example, the military/aerospace
end-user industry is a main application market for Lithium Sulphur Dioxide.
Opportunities stem from Lithium batteries' excellent performance
characteristics and the growing markets for computers, cellular phones,
photography and consumer electronics. The automotive market for primary
batteries will increase due to toll tags and keyless entry systems. Growth
will also occur in the automated utility meter reading market due to
batteries' power source efficiency that withstands high and low temperatures
in outdoor surroundings.
Lithium battery revenues are expected to double worldwide in the next six
years. Rechargeable Lithium batteries will provide increased revenue, but the
majority of unit growth will occur in the primary battery market. Rechargeable
Lithium batteries will maintain a strong market foothold, but high revenues
for primary batteries are projected in the next five to ten years.
Multinational battery manufacturers outperform smaller battery
manufacturers by offering their products to large, global original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs). These large manufacturers also provide packaging design
and assembly. However, small battery manufacturers are an integral part of
this market, filling niche market needs such as the use of Lithium-Polycarbon
Monofluoride batteries for search and rescue devices and weather instruments.
Frost & Sullivan's research, World Lithium Battery Markets, presents solid
Lithium battery strategy applications for niche markets that can enhance the
sale of your product into the next millennium. It includes up-to-date
information about current Lithium chemistries, market share trends, the most
current developments in battery technology and assistance in understanding the
major challenges affecting existing manufacturers. This research offers other
unique features such as percentage breakdowns of unit shipments and revenues
by Lithium battery chemistry, market share trends, and in depth product
analysis of the major manufacturers in each segment.
Frost and Sullivan presents Market Engineering Leadership awards to
companies that have worked hard to make a positive contribution to the Lithium
battery industry.
The 1998 Market Engineering Product Innovation Award has been presented to
Tadiran Batteries Limited for its design and development of a Lithium Thionyl
Chloride battery that can handle high pulsing, with a wide operating
temperature range and extended shelf life. This will become a major advantage
to the Lithium Thionyl Chloride market because most applications that require
batteries with high pulsing capabilities are currently dominated by Lithium
Sulphur Dioxide.
The 1998 Market Engineering Competitive Strategy Award is given to
Matsushita Battery Industrial Company, Limited/Panasonic, for its excellence
in gaining and maintaining market share in several Lithium battery segments.
Matsushita Battery Industrial not only succeeds through its sales, R&D,
production and distribution strategies, but also sets the standard for its
competitors, customers and consumers by strongly encouraging the concept of
recycling for rechargeable batteries.
The 1998 Market Engineering Marketing Strategy Award goes to SANYO
Electric Company, Ltd., for its success in marketing its products to both OEMs
and end users. Sanyo emphasizes the creation and enhancement of battery
technology to better satisfy the requirements of power consuming devices. With
greater brand and consumer awareness, knowledge of the market and wider
distribution channels, SANYO should maintain its leadership in the retail
sector.
The 1998 Market Engineering Entrepreneurial Award goes to NEC Moli Energy
Corporation for its growth from a minor rechargeable Li-Ion battery player to
one of the major vendors in the Li-Ion battery market. This battery
manufacturer leveraged capital investment from NEC Corporation to support the
Li-Ion production divisions, and focused on the development of name
recognition in partnership with NEC.
The 1998 Market Engineering Product Enhancement Award is presented to NEC
Moli Energy Corporation for R&D accomplishments in improving and enhancing the
cell design of its Li-Ion batteries, specifically its MOLICEL IMR 18650 cell
size. The technical advancements that this company brought forth have
increased cell capacities by 13 percent. The MOLICEL IMR carries a greater
competitive edge over the traditional Li-Ion cobalt-based battery products.
Another enhancement is the ME201 Li-Ion battery pack, which allows for the
measurement of smart battery information. .
The companies participating in this study include 3M; Alliant Power
Sources; Battery Engineering, Incorporated; BlueStar Battery Systems
International Corporation; Telcordia Technologies; Crompton Eternacell
Limited; Duracell International, Incorporated; The Gillette Company;
Eagle-Picher Technologies; EEMB Company, Limited; Energizer Power Systems,
Incorporated; FDK Corporation; FRIWO Silberkraft; Gold Peak (GP) Batteries
International Limited; Gould Electronics, Incorporated/PowerDex Division; GS
Japan Storage Battery; Hawker Eternacell, Incorporated(Formerly known as Power
Conversion, Incorporated); Hitachi-Maxell; Hydro-Quebec; Lithium Technology
Corporation; Matsushita Battery Industrial Company, Limited/Panasonic A
Subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Limited (MEI); NEC
Electronics, Incorporated; PolyPlus Battery Company; PolyStor Corporation;
Rayovac Corporation; Renata S.A.; SAFT; SANYO Electric Company, Limited;
Sonnenschein Lithium GmbH; Sony Corporation Recording Media & Energy Company;
Tadiran Batteries Limited; Telcordia Technologies; Toshiba Corporation;
Ultralife Batteries, Incorporated; Valence Technology, Incorporated; Varta
Batteries Incorporated; Wilson Greatbatch Limited Electrochem Battery
Division; Wuhan Lixing (Torch) Power Sources Company, Limited; Yardney
Technical Products, Incorporated; Related companies include Eveready Battery
Company, Incorporated, Division of Ralston Purina Company; Eveready Battery
Company, Inc; EEMB Global Marketing Department; EEMB United States; EEMB Korea
Representative, TAE SUK Corporation; FDK America, Incorporated Unit of FDK
Corporation; The Gillette Company; Gould Electronics, Incorporated, Unit of
Japan Energy Corporation; GP Batteries U.S.A. Unit of GP Batteries
International, Limited; GS Battery U.S.A., Incorporated; Hawker Batteries
Group; Hawker Energy Products, Incorporated; Japan Storage Battery Company,
Limited; Japan Energy Corporation; Matsushita Industrial Company, Limited;
Maxell Corporation of America; NEC Corporation/Moli Energy; Moltech
Corporation; NEC Corporation; Panasonic Industrial Company Unit of Matsushita
Electric Industrial Company, Limited; Panasonic Industrial Company Unit of
Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Limited; Ralston Purina Company;
Renata Batteries U.S. Unit of Renata S. A.; SAFT America, Incorporated; SAFT
America, Incorporated; Sanyo Energy (USA) Corporation, Unit of SANYO Electric
Company, Ltd; Sonnenschein Batteries, Incorporated; Sony Electronics,
Incorporated; Tadiran Electronic Industries, Incorporated, Unit of Tadiran
Israel Electronics, Ltd.; Tadiran Limited; Toshiba America
Electronic Components (TAEC), Unit of Toshiba Corporation; Toshiba Battery
Company, Limited; Ultralife Batteries, Incorporated; Ultralife Batteries (UK)
Limited; Varta Batteries Incorporated; Industry Associations include
Association of Battery Recyclers; Association of European Accumulator
Manufacturers; Battery Association of Japan (BAJ); Battery Council
International; Electro Chemical Society, Incorporated; Electronic Industries
Association; European Portable Battery Association; Independent Battery
Manufacturers; Portable Rechargeable; Rechargeable Battery; Smart Battery
System (SBS) Implementers Forum; Verband Deutsche Ingenieure (VDI).
Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that
monitors the battery industry for market trends, market measurements and
strategies. This ongoing research is included as part of the Energy Market
Sector Custom Subscription, and is utilized to support industry participants
with customized consulting needs.
World Lithium Battery Markets
Report: 7056-27 Date: July 1999 Price: $3,450
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
CO: Frost & Sullivan
ST: Texas
IN: CPR PUB
SU: ECO
09/21/1999 08:02 EDT prnewswire.com |
