According to a new technical market research report, Lithium Batteries: Markets and Materials Markets from BCC Research, the global market for lithium batteries was valued at almost $6.5 billion at the wholesale level in 2008 and is expected to reach $11 billion in 2013. BCC Research projects the market to grow to $13.4 billion by 2018, and register a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4 percent from 2013 to 2018.
Until about 25 years ago, the battery market was seen as a mature market, with demand closely related to sales of either automobiles or various consumer products. Since then, improved lithium batteries have helped spark a dramatic change in this relationship. Just as lithium batteries replaced nickel-based and primary batteries for many applications, traditional lithium-ion battery designs are beginning to be replaced by advanced lithium-ion chemistries like lithium phosphate, lithium-iron phosphate, lithium-sulfur, and lithium-polymer systems.
There are now six commercial and developmental lithium battery types, nearly 30 commercialized electrode couples, and more than 1,000 specific designs. The latest generation of lithium batteries includes very large cells suitable for powering vehicles or storing significant amounts of utility power as well as very small thin-film cells capable of powering micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).
Though US and European lithium battery manufacturing is underway, most lithium batteries are still currently manufactured in Japan, South Korea, or China. Lithium battery material companies include South American, US, and Canadian companies. Lithium battery research and development (R&D) takes place worldwide, but especially in the Far East, the U.S., Europe (especially France), and Canada. At the same time, there are more and more multinational lithium battery partnerships, including partnerships between US and European or Far Eastern companies.
Near-term growth in this market is being driven by increased research and development spending, stabilization of the consumer products market, and growing acceptance of electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
This report from BCC Research provides an overview of the market for lithium batteries and materials. It analyzes the market trends, with data from 2012, estimates for 2013, and projection of compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the period 2013 to 2018. This study also examines details about the six commercial and developmental lithium battery types, nearly 30 commercialized electrode couples, and more than 1,000 specific designs. In addition, it provides coverage of the global primary and secondary markets that provides the basis for a detailed analysis of lithium battery materials technology. Finally, the report identifies various sectors in the lithium batteries applications market such as portable products, medical products, implantable, not implantable, stationary applications, military/aerospace, and automotive and motive power; and covers under the materials section, the markets for electrode materials and active elements, lithium battery electrolytes, and battery separators.
This report provides a unique analysis of the global lithium battery and associated materials market, and will be of interest to manufacturers and users of these batteries. In addition, this study will be especially useful to material miners, compounders and fabricators. It also will be valuable to those involved in battery development and marketing, as well as those offering competing power sources.
