Sony Launch World's First Mercury-Free Silver Oxide Battery
Berlin, Germany (ots/PRNewswire)
- New Environmentally-Conscious Battery Sparks a Revolution in the Watch Market
BERLIN, Germany, September 29 /PRNewswire/ --
Sony announced today the launch of the world's first(1) mercury-free Silver Oxide battery. Considered one of the most difficult challenges within the industry, the introduction of the battery heralds a revolution for millions of watch owners around the world and a major advance for the environment. As a leader in the watch battery market, Sony has utilized its expertise to develop the new product, overcoming major technical obstacles. The new range of ten mercury-free batteries will be launched from January 2005.
(1) as of September 29th, 2004
"By developing the world's first ever mercury-free watch battery, Sony has demonstrated its concern for the environment, as well as its ability to innovate" Says Eric Prieur, Senior Product Manager of Sony Recording Media Europe. "The new battery is a serious step forward in our quest to produce environmentally-conscious products that minimize any impact on nature."
Sony produces a wide range of Silver Oxide batteries for wrist watches, small thermometers and mobile game products and is worldwide brand leader. The company began its Silver Oxide battery business in 1977 and as of September 2004 has manufactured cumulatively around 5 billion cells.
The Role of Mercury in Silver Oxide Batteries
A Silver Oxide battery is a small-sized primary battery using Zinc as the negative electrode (anode), Silver Oxide as the positive electrode (cathode) plus an alkaline electrolyte.
Zinc is the activator in the negative electrode and corrodes in alkaline solution. When this happens, it becomes difficult to maintain the capacity of the unused battery. The zinc corrosion causes electrolysis in the electrolyte resulting in the production of Hydrogen gas, a rise of inner pressure and expansion of the cell (Figure 2). Mercury has been used in the past to suppress the corrosion, despite its harmful effects on the environment.
Innovation for a Cleaner, Healthier World
In order to develop a mercury-free Silver Oxide battery, Sony has introduced three technical innovations to prevent zinc corrosion and the generation of hydrogen gas.
- High quality Zinc alloy powder with improved corrosion resistance
This new Zinc-alloy powder includes an extremely small amount of another metal and by optimizing the mixed ration of fine metal used, corrosion rates have been dramatically reduced, i.e. ten times less compared to conventional material.
- Anti-corrosion agents in anode materials
This additive prevents the generation of Hydrogen gas by blocking gas-generation spots. This leads to reducing the corrosion rate by a half, thus reducing the Hydrogen gas generation dramatically.
- Anti-corrosion technology in collector materials
Suppressing the corrosion of the collector electrode can suppress the corrosion of Zinc, but if not processed properly, causes leakage of the inner electrolyte. Sony's unique anti-corrosion technology adopted from electronic device manufacturing improves processing accuracy and precents liquid leakage. Furthermore, a Sony-unique active cathode material delivers a high hydrogen absorption capacity, eradicating the problem of cell expansion.
As for the patents related to the development of mercury-free silver oxide batteries, applications of 5 patents have already been made in Japan, USA and Europe.
Protecting the Environment
With approximately 400 million Silver Oxide batteries sold every year worldwide and considering the fact that the mercury level of Sony's Silver Oxide batteries is 0.2% of the total content of a battery, introducing mercury-free products will reduce the annual usage of mercury by 320 kg and will clearly have a dramatic impact. By developing an innovative range of cells that are free of mercury, lead, cadmium and a variety of other harmful materials, Sony has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to protect the environment. The latest Silver Oxide batteries break new ground, heralding a technical revolution for millions of watch-users across the globe while exceeding the requirements of the European Parliament and European Environmental Council. Currently, revisions in the battery directives are being made in the European Parliament and European Environmental Council, however it is expected that eliminating mercury from Silver Oxide batteries will be an exception due to the difficulty in realizing it. However, Sony succeeded in reaching the 0% mercury level in Silver Oxide batteries and will continue to pursue the advancement of environmentally-conscious policies through innovative technology, aiming to eliminate mercury from all Silver Oxide battery cells in the near future.
For more information on the new range of Sony mercury-free Silver Oxide batteries, go to http://www.sony.net/Products/MicroBattery/ (scheduled to be active from October 7th 2004).
Model Name Size (dimensions) Capacity
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 6.8mm, Height 28 mAh
SR626SW 2.6mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 6.8mm, Height 23 mAh
SR621SW 2.1mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 5.8mm, Height 17 mAh
SR521SW 2.1mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 5.8mm, Height 12.5 mAh
SR516SW 1.6mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 6.8mm, Height 16 mAh
SR616SW 1.6mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 7.9mm, Height 29 mAh
SR721SW 2.1mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 7.9mm, Height 39 mAh
SR731SW 3.1 mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 9.5mm, Height 45 mAh
SR920SW 2.0mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 11.6mm, Height 110 mAh
SR43 4.2mm
Silver Oxide Battery External diameter 11.6mm, Height 160 mAh
SR44 5.4mmAbout Sony:
Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to become a leading personal broadband entertainment company in the 21st century. In Europe, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 13.47 billion (yen 1,765 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 131 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 8.71 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com and http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter.
Contact:
For more information, please contact Sylvia Shin, Corporate
Communications Europe, Sony Europe GmbH, tel: +49-30-2575-5156, fax:
+49-30-2575-5174 email: Sylvia.Shin@eu.sony.com,
www.sony-europe.com/presscenter