US Rockwood sees boost from electric vehicles

06 October 2008 22:16  [Source: ICIS news]

NEW YORK (ICIS news)--The growing use of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric-vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in electric cars in 2010-2012 will boost sales in US Rockwood's lithium specialties business, a company executive said on Monday.

"Looking out into the future, the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries in HEVs and electric cars will be another platform for accelerated growth," said Monika Engel-Bader, president of Rockwood's specialty chemicals division Chemetall. She made her comments at Rockwood's investor day in New York.

With around $550m (€402m) in lithium sales, Chemetall is the leading global supplier, Engel-Bader said.

The potential for use of lithium carbonate in electric vehicles is huge, she said. Whereas a cell phone uses around 0.1oz (2.84g) of the material and a notebook computer about 1oz, an HEV or plug-in vehicle could use between 2-25lb (0.9-11kg) of lithium carbonate. A Tesla electric vehicle could use 50lb, she said.

"This technology will be launched shortly. Just about every major car manufacturer is planning a release of an HEV or plug-in in 2010-2012," Engel-Bader said.

"Chemetall is working with leading battery developers and manufacturers as well as institutes and universities to support the latest technology developments," she said.

"The growth rate for lithium-ion batteries has historically averaged around 15%/year, and this rate will continue in the next few years, even without electric vehicles," Engel-Bader said. Global demand for lithium carbonate for lithium-ion batteries is currently over 35m lb, and Chemetall holds 40% market share, she said.

Chemetall extracts lithium carbonate from large brine ponds in Salar de Atacama, Chile, and in Nevada, US.

"We have been expanding our capacity to extract lithium carbonate since 2004 and are continuing to do so in anticipation of higher demand," Engel-Bader said.

($1 = €0.73)

To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect

By: Joseph Chang
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly