Demand for Next Generation Battery Technologies to Power Advanced Electronic Devices Drives Market Growth

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, January 10, 2007 -- (Business Wire India)

The need for power has increased manifold the past few years. End-users demand batteries that can provide them maximum power as well as longer run times. Uninterruptible power guarantees operations and ensures high levels of productivity. The degree of technical change in the applications market such as cellular phones, laptops, digital cameras, industrial cordless tools, back up power, military and medical markets is rapid. Batteries need to keep pace in order to satisfy the burgeoning need for safe, reliable and continuous power. This is the main driver promoting technological development in the battery arena.

Frost & Sullivan (http://www.batteries.frost.com) finds that the World Emerging Battery Market earned revenues of $1.00 billion in 2005 and estimates this to more than triple due to increasing demand from vertical sectors like consumer electronics, industrial devices, backup power and other segments.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the World Emerging Battery Market, then send an e-mail to Ravinder Kaur/ Nimisha Iyer, Corporate Communications, at ravinder.kaur@frost.com/ niyer@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

“Today’s power hungry electronic devices require a next-generation battery to provide additional runtime while simultaneously maintaining a lightweight and small format,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Director Sara Bradford. “While chemistries on the market are sufficient for general operating, they are quickly becoming challenged by the demand for longer runtimes. Additionally, many industrial applications require a more robust and safe power system.”

The battery market is fast approaching maturity and continuous R&D is necessary to maintain stability in demand and revenues. Moreover, the high degree of competition in the battery market is also motivating manufacturers to undertake product differentiation within the battery market or introduce a new chemistry. Many battery chemistries, including alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCD), lead acid (LA), lithium primary and secondary batteries, have all been found to be superior for portable products and stationary power.

Market participants are exploring alternative power sources such as fuel cells, ultracapacitors, flywheels, etc, which could offer a better option than today's conventional battery chemistries. However, these alternatives are not likely to be introduced into the commercial market until 2010 and beyond. Battery manufacturers are investing much time and resources into next generation chemistries that could potentially be the bridge between today's conventional battery chemistries and those alternative technologies of the future.

Any limits on raw materials will ultimately challenge the emerging battery marketplace. New suppliers need to be established for existing suppliers require an expanded output for raw materials and component to meet the growth expectations for emerging batteries.

“Raw materials play a crucial role for the battery industry and any shortages or delays in obtaining these materials can delay emerging technology commercialization,” states Bradford. “The delays could impact the market negatively and/or curtail the actual technology development altogether, depending on the severity.”

Manufacturers are either strengthening their supplier relationships or setting the foundation to gain access to new suppliers, depending on the nature of the manufacturer. Those already established battery manufacturers versus up-and-coming new battery emergent companies would employ differing strategies to overcome this challenge.

World Emerging Battery Markets is part of the Batteries subscription, which also includes research in the following markets: F753-27 World Ultracapacitor Market, A976-27 World UPS Market – Alternative Energy Storage Solutions, F541-27 World Micro Fuel Cell Markets for Consumer Portable Devices, F368-27 World Consumer Secondary Lithium Battery Market, A966-27 World Industrial Secondary Lithium Battery Market, A965-27 World Nickel Battery Market, A962-27 World Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Battery Market. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews are available to the press.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com.

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