FDK Corporation has announced the start of mass production and shipment of PFAS-free nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in AA and AAA formats, marking a shift towards more environmentally compliant designs in the consumer battery segment.
Production is scheduled to begin in April 2026 at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Japan, with the new cells targeted at applications including household electronics, portable devices and other small-scale power uses.
PFAS-free consumer batteries
The development responds to growing regulatory and market pressure to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of persistent chemicals increasingly restricted in Europe and other regions due to environmental and health concerns. By removing PFAS from its AA and AAA NiMH batteries, FDK aims to align its products with tightening global chemical regulations while maintaining established performance characteristics.
NiMH batteries remain widely used in consumer applications such as remote controls, cameras and handheld electronics, where safety, robustness and rechargeability are valued. Compared with lithium-ion systems, NiMH cells offer lower energy density but benefit from mature recycling infrastructure and reduced reliance on critical raw materials such as lithium and cobalt.
FDK said its PFAS-free batteries are manufactured entirely in Japan. The company has positioned the new products as part of its broader strategy to deliver environmentally responsible solutions without compromising reliability in everyday applications.
The move reflects a wider trend across the battery industry to address the environmental impact of both materials and manufacturing processes. PFAS substances – sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” – have historically been used in a range of industrial applications, including in components and processing aids, but are now under increasing scrutiny as regulators seek to limit their use.
