Bridgestone makes non-combustible battery additive

TOKYO, Nov 5, 2002; Reuters reported that Bridgestone Corp, Japan's largest maker of tyres, said on Tuesday it had developed the world's first battery electrolyte additive that renders lithium-ion batteries non-combustible.

Lithium-ion batteries, used in many electronic devices including mobile phones, can catch on fire at a certain point even in smaller devices which require less energy.

The electrolyte additive does not hinder any of the power or capability of a battery.

A report about the technology in the daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun pushed Bridgestone shares higher to close at 1,613 yen, up 5.98 percent on the day. The Nikkei 225 average finished up 2.9 percent.

Bridgestone said it expected demand for lithium-ion batteries to grow rapidly in the next few years. The company forecast one billion yen ($8.2 million) in sales for the additive in 2005/06 and will begin testing the product with manufacturers next year.