Metal Air-Battery Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2023-2030)

A metal air battery is an electrochemical cell that employs a metal as the anode and utilizes oxygen from the air as the cathode. The underlying operational concept of a metal air battery involves the electrochemical reduction of oxygen from the air and the oxidation of the metal, resulting in the formation of recyclable solid metal oxides. The remarkable feature of metal air batteries lies in their significantly superior theoretical energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, which has garnered considerable interest.

The metal air-battery market is growing at steady rate of 15.38% in the forecast period owing to increasing adoption of electric vehicles. The global EV market has witnessed significant growth over the past decade, fueled by increasing environmental concerns and government regulations promoting sustainable transportation. As more consumers opt for EVs, there is an inherent need for advanced energy storage systems that offer enhanced driving range and overall performance. Metal air-batteries, such as lithium-air and zinc-air batteries, have gained substantial attention due to their impressive energy density. With the ability to store more energy per unit weight compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, metal air-batteries enable EVs to achieve greater range per charge. This aspect aligns perfectly with consumer expectations of EVs with longer driving distances and reduced charging frequency. Moreover, Metal air-batteries address this issue by offering a considerably larger energy capacity. For instance, lithium-air batteries have the potential to provide five to ten times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough can significantly extend the driving range of EVs, making them a competitive alternative to conventional fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. Furthermore, the a ccelerated EV adoption is also contingent on the development of supporting infrastructure, specifically a robust charging network. Metal air-batteries present an opportunity to optimize this aspect of the EV ecosystem. Since metal air-batteries offer a higher energy density, EV manufacturers can design smaller battery packs with the same driving range, making vehicles more compact and lightweight. Reduced battery weight contributes to increased efficiency and decreases charging time, as smaller batteries require less time to replenish energy. This advancement eradicates one of the main concerns associated with EV ownership - long charging duration.

Based on metal, the market is divided into zinc, lithium, aluminum, iron and others. The zinc segment dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to show the same fashion in the forecast period. Parallelly, lithium-air-battery considered to be the highest growing segment due to the ongoing research and development on the lithium-air-battery and the burgeoning adoption of electric vehicles. Additionally, as of now zinc-air-battery is easily accessible for public and that too for very low cost which created the demand for the battery. Furthermore, the growing demand for hearing aids has positively fueled the demand for the segment, with the total 20.25 million sales of hearing aids in the year 2022.

Based on type, the market is bifurcated into primary and secondary/rechargeable. The primary segment holds a significant market share in 2022 and is expected to showcase the same trend in the forecast period. The rapid growth of electric vehicles, the shift towards lithium-heavy batteries, advancements in battery technology, and the overall market growth contribute to this increased demand. For instance, in 2023, Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new lithium-air battery design that uses a solid electrolyte instead of the usual liquid variety, which makes it safer and more efficient.

Based on application, the market is segmented into electric vehicles, military electronics, electronic devices, stationary power, and others. The electronic devices segment holds a significant market share in 2022 and is expected to showcase the same trend in the forecast period. The major factors contributing for the growth of the segment due the growing demand for the electric products and product miniaturization. The rise of wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, presents another exciting opportunity in near future which increases the demand for metal air batteries. These devices often have limited space for battery storage, making it crucial to maximize energy density.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the metal air-battery, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, and Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. The Asia Pacific metal air-battery market dominated the market and is expected to behave in the same fashion in the forecast period. In recent years, the Asia Pacific region has witnessed a significant surge in the demand for metal air batteries. These innovative energy storage devices have gained traction due to their high energy density, longer lifespan, and environmental sustainability. The Asia Pacific region has been actively transitioning towards renewable energy sources. Metal air batteries, such as zinc-air and lithium-air batteries, offer a compelling solution for grid storage due to their ability to store large amounts of energy efficiently. The rise of electric vehicles in the Asia Pacific region has created a demand for advanced battery technologies. For instance, ongoing research and development efforts in the Asia Pacific region are focused on improving the performance and efficiency of air batteries. Companies like Phinergy, MAL Research and Development Limited, and Log9 Materials are actively involved in developing metal-air batteries for electric vehicles. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region offers immense opportunities for the integration of metal air batteries in grid-scale energy storage projects. As renewable energy penetration increases, the demand for efficient and cost-effective storage solutions will surge.

Some of the major players operating in the market include Phinergy, GP Batteries International Limited, Arotech Corporation, Duracell Inc., Renata SA, ACTXE Limited, Energizer Holdings, Inc, PolyPlus, Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd., and Zinc8 Energy Solutions Inc.