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Juan Carlos Zuleta's  Instablog

Juan Carlos Zuleta is an economist. He holds a master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota and did Ph.D. studies in Economics at the New School for Social Research. Since 1992 he has published a number of articles on the economics of lithium. Due to two... More
  • EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE LITHIUM-ION ENERGY SYSTEMS MARKET? 2 comments
    Nov 8, 2009 02:17 AM
    As a recent report indicates, Exide Technologies has introduced a new division focusing on “development and pursuit of new markets for renewable energy storage and lithium-ion energy systems”. 

    This comes as a surprise considering that the company is a global leader in production and recycling of lead-acid batteries. Does this mean that Exide has just discovered that lead-acid and lithium-ion advanced energy storage systems are complements rather than substitutes? Or perhaps, does it imply that the company will begin a gradual retreat from the lead-acid business?   

    While it is too early to conclude in one or the other direction,  Exide´s decision does seem to anticipate a chain of events that may come forward in the near future at the advent of the “Sixth Techno-economic Paradigm“ with lithium as its main factor as envisioned in a blog I published almost two years ago. 

    Lastly, as I have argued in a previous instablog, given the growing interest in lithium ion batteries for different applications, both within and outside the electric car industry, many new products and services are beginning to appear in a promising market. What remains to be seen is how other companies will react to the new set of factors that is starting to shape the new ”Cleantech” Era.    



    Disclosure: The author holds no positions in any stocks.   
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This post has 2 comments:

  •  
    That is a bit puzzling. As you say, I thought that lithium being too expensive and unreliable was a central plank in lead-acid proponents' arguments. To see Exide put a finger in the lithium pie implies any combination of the following:

    (a) they are not confident lead-acid will dominate the market
    (b) the prospects for Exide's lead-acid are not great
    (c) they see synergies with the lithium-ion business
    (d) they're hedging their bets

    I'm actually going to Bolivia this week for a holiday. I'll be trekking across the Salar de Uyuni, should be great fun!
    Nov 08 05:02 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Engstudent, until recently, there was a dichotomy between lead-acid (or nickel metal hydride) and lithium-ion technologies. Now for many battery and car makers they are becoming complementary. But eventually, lithium is likely to substitute all those obsolete technologies.
    Nov 08 09:21 PM | Link | Reply
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