Rechargeable batteries are a growing business

• Rechargeable battery manufacturers are eager to gain significant traction outside the existing mobile phone and notebook computer segment, as rechargeable batteries are increasingly adopted in a variety of mobile gadgets including portable music players and digital cameras.
• The country's No. 1 digital camera maker Samsung Techwin now installs rechargeable batteries for all of its new products compared to some 50% last year.
• The company plans to boost adoption to more than 90% of the entire product line, except old models and OEM models.
• Demand from the company is estimated to be more than 3.5 million units this year, therefore.
• Leading MP3 player maker Reigncom is also fast moving toward rechargeable batteries, which are now used for latest hit model 'N10'.
• The company also launched 'U10' installed with rechargeable batteries earlier this year.
• Samsung Electronics is using more rechargeable batteries for its portable music players, and the domestic market for rechargeable batteries for MP3 players is now expected to be at least 5 million units this year.
• Seeing growing business opportunities, two major rechargeable battery makers Samsung SDI and LG Chem are keen to increase presence in the entire mobile device market.
• Samsung SDI plans to unveil a slim rechargeable battery early next year.
• LG Chem is concentrating more resources on rechargeable batteries used for portable music players.
• The company is now in a deal with the world's largest MP3 player maker Apple to provide batteries for hit iPod music player.
• It has also filed for certification for additional deals with Apple.
• SKC, which unveiled a plan to spin off its rechargeable battery business unit, aims to jump into competition with a lithium polymer battery with enhanced functions, which it plans to launch in the fourth quarter of this year.