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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                       5.4mm
About 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

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