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At just under **** billion U.S. dollars, Asahi Kasei was the lithium-ion battery component manufacturer with the highest market capitalization as of September 4, 2017. In September 2017, three lithium-ion battery component manufacturers had a valuation of over ** million U.S. dollars, significantly larger than their competitors.

What are Li-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable accumulators, and their development has been necessary to support portable electronics such as smart phones. Japanese companies feature amongst the largest makers of lithium-ion batteries. Some typical materials used to produce lithium-ion batteries include ethylene carbonate, lithium, and graphite, as well as cobalt, nickel, manganese, or aluminum.

New battery technology

Lithium-ion technology is dominant in batteries and technology. New types of battery, solid state batteries, could soon replace them. Solid-state technology offers more energy per unit volume, reducing the frequency they must be recharged. Currently, solid-state batteries are used in low-energy devices such as heartrate monitors. Compared to Li-ion, solid-state also recharges quicker, has a longer lifespan, and poses less of a fire hazard.

There is growing research in the area of EV solid-state technology, as the technology would allow electric cars to travel further or reduce weight, spend less time charging, and reduce the risk of explosion from battery packs. Across the globe, companies are racing to develop the first commercially viable solid-state battery. Many manufacturers of lithium-ion battery components have taken an interest in solid-state technology, as solid-state batteries require similar materials and components to Li-ion batteries.