This definition excludes most lead-acid batteries (including automotive, marine and traction batteries) but includes a few small, sealed and portable product lead-acid batteries. Other excluded systems include large battery stacks, electric vehicle and utility power storage batteries, UPS and emergency power systems, and alkaline, molten carbonate and phosphoric acid fuel cells. BCC discusses the market for large fuel cell materials in a related report, The U.S. Market for Large Battery & Fuel Cell Materials.

Although many "advanced" battery systems are excluded, small lithium-ion polymer and small fuel cell systems like PEM and aluminum-air are "advanced" by any definition.

A battery has five components: two active elements (a cathode and an anode), a separator and an electrolyte medium for carrying ions between the reactants through the separator. One reactant, or electrode, has a net negative charge and is called the anode. The cathode usually is a metallic compound. The electrolyte usually is similar to the cathode to promote ion transfer. Finally, the battery is contained in a structural support that provides dimensional stability and a positive and negative electrode or battery cap for discharging (or recharging) the cell. A number of separate electrochemical cells can be combined within the same case to create a battery.

Like batteries, fuel cells produce electrical energy through an electrochemical process. Also, fuel cells typically have a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte, as well as structural supports. Unlike batteries, fuel cells are conversion devices that change some kind of chemical fuel into electricity.

Fuel cells can’t directly store electrical energy, but they have considerable flexibility with regard to fuel used. Therefore, fuel generation and storage components must be employed, each with their own unique material requirements. Fuel cells typically require an electrocatalytic material to promote energy conversion.

In both cases, there are hundreds of combinations of possible electrode, electrolyte, separator, and electrocatalytic materials, and material selection plays an important (and often the most important) role in battery and fuel cell design.

With this in mind, this BCC Business Opportunity Report examines the U.S. market for battery and fuel cell materials. First, each battery and fuel cell material is profiled and analyzed. Next, battery and fuel cell material consumption are discussed in terms of how they are used to create various components. Finally, the report provides an overview of specific battery and fuel cell technologies, in terms of markets, value, number of units shipped and types of materials used.

An extensive set of battery and fuel cell material supplier profiles is provided, along with a summary of contact information for battery and fuel cell companies that use these materials.

Additional Information

Reasons For Doing The Study

The electrochemical battery and fuel cell industries are each enjoying unprecedented growth sparked by improved technology and a demand for portable power and innovative materials. Ultimately, the fortunes of batteries and fuel cells are tied to the materials used to create them. Battery and fuel cell demand have revitalized a number of raw material markets, and many material suppliers are counting on new battery and fuel cell opportunities to drive growth.

This study is intended to be the most complete technical, economic and business document of its type on this subject and is designed to provide information of a professional nature. The technical data depend on the accuracy of the manufacturers and technical sources that make up the BCC database. This report is not intended to constitute a legal or accounting document, nor is it an endorsement of any given product or process. The author, and BCC Inc., as the publisher, assume no liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material.

Contribution Of The Study And For Whom

This report is intended to provide a unique analysis of the U.S. battery and fuel cell material markets, and will be of interest to manufacturers of batteries and fuel cells, as well as battery and fuel cell portable products and vehicles. This report also will be valuable to those involved in battery and fuel cell development and marketing, as well as those offering competing power sources.

Of course, existing and potential battery and fuel cell material providers, including miners, processors, refiners, chemical synthesizers and recyclers will find that this report applies directly to their operations. BCC wishes to thank those companies, government agencies and university researchers who contributed information to this effort.

Scope And Format

This report starts with a technology summary and a discussion of industry structure and competitive aspects, including:

• driving forces
• trade practices
• internationalization aspects
• market segmentation
• material supply chains
• purchasing influences and prices
• material company market shares.

As appropriate, markets for particular battery and fuel cell materials within a broad range of major classifications are described in detail. Historic, current and predicted battery and fuel cell markets by volume and value are provided. The following specific battery and fuel cell materials are profiled, and background, sources, suppliers, developments and constraints are provided:

• aluminum compounds
• ammonia-based compounds
• boron compounds
• cadmium compounds
• carbon
• chromium compounds
• cobalt compounds
• conductive polymers
• copper compounds
• gallium compounds
• halogens
• iron compounds
• indium compounds
• lead
• lithium compounds magnesium compounds
• manganese dioxide
• mercury compounds
• nickel compounds
• organic compounds
• platinum group
• potassium compounds
• rare earths
• silicon dioxides
• silver compounds
• sodium compounds
• sulfur compounds
• titanium compounds
• vanadium compounds
• zinc compounds

Markets for specific battery and fuel cell technologies within these major classifications are described. Historic, current and predicted markets in terms of units and value are summarized to define the materials market.

Next, markets for each of the following battery and fuel cell component groups are discussed:

• battery electrodes
• battery electrolytes
• battery separators fuel storage
• fuel cell electrodes and electrocatalysts
• fuel cell electrolytes.

Finally, the following battery and fuel cell technologies are analyzed, including a background summary, descriptions of materials used, companies, battery or fuel cell markets and related material markets: