Strategic Partnerships with OEMs to Revitalize Primary Lithium Battery Market

PALO ALTO, Calif.--April 13, 2004--Competition between the three most common primary lithium battery chemistries (lithium/sulfur dioxide, lithium/thionyl chloride, lithium/manganese dioxide) in various applications stymies growth in the market. Vendors need to focus on the specific requirements of the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and specialize in the chemistry best suited for each application in order to sustain market share.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.batteries.frost.com), World Primary Lithium Battery Market, reveals that revenue in this market totaled $820.6 million in 2003 and is projected to reach $1,355.3 million in 2010.

"Battery vendors' opinions on the features of their battery chemistries and products can differ, thus influencing OEM's preference for a specific chemistry over another in a particular application," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Manager Sara Bradford.

Primary lithium batteries are preferred in a variety of applications ranging from the medical to military. However, the 'high-manufacturing-cost-low-price' factor and intense competition is affecting profit margins.

"The impact of increased competition and decreased profit is influencing the market," notes Bradford. "This ultimately discourages new entrants into an increasingly mature market, therefore limiting innovation."

Vendors need to build and skillfully maintain strategic partnerships with OEMs in order to position themselves at an advantage over the competition. These partnerships allow for customizing batteries and products, ensuring an end product that incorporates the merits of both the power source and the product application.

While a thriving demand for batteries in the various sectors drives market growth, vendors also need to be equipped to handle the new regulations specified under the international transportation of dangerous goods (DG). They need to identify facilities equipped to handle the eight specified tests and deal with the backlog created due to scarcity of such testing centers.

The World Primary Lithium Battery Market, a part of the Batteries Subscription, evaluates the market by battery chemistry segments. It determines the market size, estimates revenue forecasts, and identifies new opportunities. The key drivers and restraints are analyzed by various application sectors such as automotive, consumer and commercial products, industrial electronics/instrumentation, IT, medical, and defense applications. The research service also dwells on challenges faced by vendors and strategies to overcome them. Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press.

If you are interested in an analysis overview which provide manufacturers, end-users and other industry participants an overview, summary, challenges and latest coverage of World Primary Lithium Battery Market -- then send an email to Julia Paulson -- North American Corporate Communications -- at jpaulson@frost.com with the following information: Full name, Company Name, Title, Contact Tel Number, Contact Fax Number, Email. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be emailed to you.

Frost & Sullivan, an international growth consultancy, has been supporting clients' expansion for more than four decades. Our market expertise covers a broad spectrum of industries, while our portfolio of advisory competencies includes custom strategic consulting, market intelligence, and management training. Our mission is to forge partnerships with our clients' management teams to deliver market insights and to create value and drive growth through innovative approaches. Frost & Sullivan's network of consultants, industry experts, corporate trainers, and support staff spans the globe with offices in every major country. World Primary Lithium Battery Market A573

The following is a key list of industry participants: 3M, Advanced Battery Care Ltd., AEA Technology plc., Alliant Techsystems Inc., Association of Battery Recyclers, Association of European Accumulator Manufacturers, Battery Association of Japan Inc., Battery Council International, Crompton Eternacell Ltd., DC Battery Products, Duracell, EaglePicher Technologies LLC, EEMB Co. Ltd., Electronic Industries Alliance, Eveready Battery Co. Inc., Extrapower Battery Co. Ltd., FDK Corp., FRIWO Inc., GMBattery Co. Ltd., Golden Season Pte Ltd., Gould Electronics Inc., GP Batteries International Ltd., GS Japan Storage Battery Co. Ltd., Hawker Inc., Hitachi Maxell Ltd., Hydro-Quebec, Independent Battery Manufacturers Association, Lithium Technology Corp., Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd., Micro Tech Group Inc., Moltech Corp., NEC Electronics Corp., NTK Powerdex Inc., Poly Plus Battery Company, Portable Rechargeable Battery Association, Quallion LLC, Rayovac Corp., Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp., Renata S.A., SAFT, SANYO Electric Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Able New Energy Co. Ltd., Smart Battery System Implementers Forum Inc., Sony Corp., Tadiran Batteries/Sonnenschein Lithium GmbH, Telcordia Technologies Inc., The Electrochemical Society Inc., The European Portable Battery Association, The Gillette Co., TianQiu Enterprise Co. Ltd., Toshiba America Inc., Ultralife Batteries Inc., Varta, VDI, Wilson Greatbatch Technologies Inc., Wuhan Lixing (Torch) Power Sources Co. Ltd., Yardney Technical Products Inc.

Keywords in this release: lithium battery, Lithium/Sulfur Dioxide, Li/SO2, Lithium/Thionyl Chloride, Li/SOCL2, Lithium/Polycarbon Monofluoride, Li/CFx, Lithium/Manganese Dioxide, Li/MnO2, international transportation of dangerous goods, DG.