Lead Acid Batteries
- Lead-acid batteries use the great majority of both primary and secondary lead
- Batteries are the main source of secondary lead with high recycling efficiencies
Worldwide Battery Industry: 2010
- Total market size (primary and secondary) batteries: $60BN
- Secondary batteries: $41.5BN
- Lead/acid batteries: $31.2BN
- Automotive batteries $22.8BN
- Stand-by batteries $5.3BN
- Traction batteries $3.1BN
- Other rechargeable batteries: $9.8BN
- Ni/Cd $0.7 BN, Ni/MH $1.6BN, Li-ion $7.5BN
- Principally portable types $2.0 BN HEV, mostly Ni/MH
- Large rechargeable batteries: $0.5BN (Ni/Cd, Ni/MH)
Stand-by (Stationary) Batteries
Total market: $5.3BN
- Americas, $1.5 BN
- EMEA, $1,3 BN
- APAC, $2.5 BN
Competitive position
- Two key sectors: telecommunications and UPS (different specifications and price points)
- VRLA types: AGM and gel
- Margins are better than automotive
- Ni/Cd has a niche position for telecommunications, rail, aircraft and oil and gas industries but at a substantial price premium
- Lead-acid will remain the most competitive product offer
- Market growth at 3-5% and recovered well in 2010
Traction Batteries
Materials handling equipment (e.g. forklift batteries), Floor cleaning, Access platforms, Mobility aids, Delivery vehicles, Buses
Total market: $3.1BN
- North America, $1.2 BN
- EMEA, $1.4 BN
- APAC, $0.5 BN
Competitive position
- Different products between North American and European markets (N. America – pasted plate | Europe – tubular plate)
- Some market penetration for VRLA traction, gel and AGM
- Lead/acid will continue to dominate in the materials handling market on price
- Corporate initiatives for sustainability are a driver
- Market recovered strongly in Europe and North America in 2010 and
- A growth rate of 3-5% is expected in the 2/3 year term
Source: http://www.ilzsg.org/pages/429/document.aspx?page=9&ff_aa_document_type=P&from=2