LIBs inch ahead in battery market, but Pb has power to grow

Lithium-ion batteries have grabbed a larger slice of the worldwide battery market than lead for the first time, but Pb will continue to grow at a “modest rate”, according to a top industry analyst.

Battery expert Dr Geoffrey May (pictured) told the International Lead Association’s PB2019 conference in Madrid that lithium-ion had a worldwide market share of US$40 billion in 2018, compared to $37.5bn for lead. This was the first time lithium-ion batteries had been ahead, he said.