Lithium Battery Sales to Reach $2.7 Billion by 2009

According to an updated report from Business Communications Company Inc., RGB-210N Lithium Batteries: Materials and Markets, the U.S. lithium battery market is estimated at $2.1 billion in 2004. Rising at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 4.7%, this market will reach $2.7 billion in 2009. The entire U.S. battery market was worth more than $13 billion in 2004.

Primary lithium batteries were worth $365 million in 2003 and the U.S. market should grow to a predicted $522 million in 2009.

Most primary lithium battery types will post steady sales as they retain existing niches but cannot expand into new applications or markets. The most significant exception is lithium-carbon monofluoride, which will experience 10% average annual percent growth, mainly due to increased camera (and to a lesser extent desktop PC and military) sales. Lithium-manganese dioxide cells 7% growth rate is due mainly to increased portable product sales, especially PDAs, and portable entertainment and game systems.

The rechargeable secondary lithium battery market was approximately $1,649 million in 2003 and should grow to more than $2.1 billion by 2009. The portable products market will continue to comprise 85% of the total market with the increase in laptops, cellphones, PDAs, and portable entertainment and game systems. The portable medical products market will post small annual increases in sales over the next five years, but will essentially be flat due to ever lower prices for medical batteries. The stationary market will post very significant 75% AAGR, as UPS and emergency lighting product sales accelerate and as less expensive lithium cells compete with existing lead and nickel-based systems. The military/aerospace market will continue at historic levels, partially because of emphasis on primary lithium cells and partially because of lower prices for lithium-ion cells. The automotive/motive market will post a very significant 57% AAGR as HEVs and niche EVs like scooters begin to switch to lithium-ion.

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