Production For Portable Consumer Electronics Scales Up

The APPD421 Li-ion battery pack from Taiwan's Apogee Power is packed with eight cells. The product supports AC/DC dual charging system.

 
Li-ion continues to dominate Greater China's production and R&D. Reduced profit margins are driving Hong Kong makers' shift to Li-polymer.

Portable consumer electronics are fueling demand for lithium batteries in Greater China. More than 50 percent and 30 percent of Taiwan's lithium batteries are for mobile phones and laptops, respectively, and about 75 percent of mainland China's lithium batteries go to mobile phones.

The number of Li-ion battery makers in Greater China still dominates, while the number of Li-polymer manufacturers is rising slowly. Less than a year ago, makers were still waiting for major electronics brands such as Sony to spearhead the switch to Li-polymer. Now, industry sources note that suppliers are gradually producing Li-polymer batteries. Taking the lead are the battery makers in Hong Kong. These makers have made the transition from Li-ion to Li-polymer.

Hong Kong has less than 20 lithium battery makers, with small- and medium-scale manufacturers offering Li-polymer battery packs and cells in modest quantities. Most of these Hong Kong makers have already implemented long-running plans to decrease Li-ion output in favor of Li-polymer.

Taiwan has 220 makers of lithium battery packs, including 10 makers of Li-polymer batteries. Most Taiwan lithium battery makers have headquarters in Taipei and other parts of northern Taiwan, but their factories are mostly based in mainland China. Their clients include laptop and mobile phone makers in neighboring cities and provinces, which allows them to save on delivery costs.

Major Taiwan makers of lithium batteries and packs include Simplo Technology Co. Ltd (SMP), Cheng Uei Precision Ind. Co. Ltd (Foxlink), DynaPack Co. Ltd, Celxpert Energy Corp., Gallopwire Ent. Co. Ltd, and E-one Moli Energy Corp.

Mainland China has about 70 Li-ion battery makers and 30 Li-polymer battery makers. Most lithium battery makers in mainland China are based in the provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shandong, Jiangsu, and the cities of Shanghai and Tianjin, where many electronic manufacturers are based. Lithium battery makers prefer to set up manufacturing facilities in these areas to be near their clients.