Battery Power - September/October 2011 - (Page 16)

Feature The World of Alkaline Batteries Vishal Sapru, Research Manager, Energy & Power Systems Frost & Sullivan Alkaline batteries are disposable batteries with zinc and manganese dioxide as electrodes. The alkaline electrolyte used is either potassium or sodium hydroxide. These batteries have a steady voltage offering better energy density and leakage resistance than carbon zinc batteries. This is mainly due to the manganese dioxide anode material, which is purer and denser, thereby reducing the space taken up by internal components. Most of the market participants have shifted their focus on rechargeable chemistries such as nickel metal hydride and lithium-ion. This has resulted in consolidation of the market. The North American and European regions are the major contributors to the revenues of the alkaline battery market. However, the Asia Pacific and Latin American regions hold strong potential for growth in this market. The main reason behind this is the fact that these regions are in the transitional phase in shifting from carbon zinc batteries. Moreover, the Middle East and Africa hold substantial share in the alkaline battery market and are witnessing an increasing trend in the usage of these batteries. The alkaline batteries come in various sizes ranging from AAA to AA, C, D, 9 V and others. AAA and AA are suited for low-drain applications whereas AA is used for high-drain applications. C, D and 9 V are suited for high-drain applications as well. Others include micro alkaline button cells, coin cells, AAAA and the like. AA is the most widely used alkaline battery cell size, while the AAA size is the fastest growing. Size C, D and 9 V are used for specific applications which have steady demand. However, other sizes such as micro alkaline coin cells and button cells are used in few industrial and medical applications. batteries. In many high-drain consumer applications, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries are replacing alkaline batteries as they offer better performance and lasts much longer than the disposable alkaline batteries. The impact of this challenge is likely to be medium in the short- to mid-term but is expected to be high in the long term as we will see alkaline batteries being replaced by alternative chemistries. Increasing Cost of Raw Materials: Disposable batteries witnessed a pressure on manufacturing cost owing to the increase in the price of raw materials, such as zinc and electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). The cost of key material EMD is high. EMD plays a key role in the performance of alkaline batteries and is required at high-purity stage which augments high price. This trend pressures the alkaline battery manufacturers as their profit margin is affected owing to this rise in the cost of the raw material. This poses a major challenge to the alkaline battery manufacturers, as the rise in the price of batteries is expected to make consumers prefer alternative batteries. Impact of this challenge is likely to be medium during the short and mid-term and low during the long term. Presence of Counterfeit Batteries: Alkaline batteries which appear identical or confusingly similar to a branded battery are referred as counterfeit batteries. These batteries are designed to mislead consumers intentionally by appearing very similar to branded batteries. However, the performance, efficiency and leak proof features offered by branded batteries could not be expected in these counterfeits. Branded batteries are constructed with a vent to release the internal pressure within the battery that prevents the battery from explosion or electrolyte leakage. Hence counterfeit batteries impose safety issues along with harming the brand reputation of key battery manufacturers. The impact of this challenge is medium during the short- to mid-term and low during the long term. Some of the key challenges faced by the alkaline battery manufacturers include: Competition from Alternative Chemistries: Alkaline batteries face threat from primary lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries in consumer electronics application. Primary lithium batteries possess higher energy density, thereby offering better performance and lasts longer compared with the alkaline Key Challenges Key Drivers Impacting the Growth of The Market One of the key strengths of the alkaline battery chemistry is its ability to power day-to-day gadgets such as alarm clocks, electric shavers, remote controls and radios among others. Alkaline batteries have become one of the essential commodities www.BatteryPowerOnline.com 16 Battery Power • September/October http://www.BatteryPowerOnline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Battery Power - September/October 2011

Battery Power - September/October 2011
Contents
Portable Battery Market to Reach $30.5 Billion Worldwide by 2015, Forecasts Pike Research
Panasonic Introduces High Rate Li-Ion Cell
A Comprehensive Management Approach to Maximizing UPS Availability
The Evolution of Battery Monitoring: Impedance, Resistance, Conductance or Ohmic Value
The World of Alkaline Batteries
Nickel Zinc’s Powerful Future in Stationary Storage
Batteries
Components
ICs and Semiconductors
Charging & Testing
Power Supplies
Industry News
Marketplace
Calendar of Events
Research & Development

Battery Power - September/October 2011

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