Development Prospects of the Dry Battery Industry

Technology Innovation, Environmental Awareness, Intelligent Applications, and Market Strategies

Content Overview

According to available data, China’s dry battery production increased from 80.316 billion units in 2014 to nearly 151 billion units in 2022, while domestic demand rose from 39.94 billion units in 2013 to approximately 111.08 billion units in 2022.

From the perspective of average market pricing, continuous technological advancement in dry batteries has significantly improved production efficiency. Ongoing product upgrades and process optimization have effectively enhanced manufacturing capacity and reduced unit production costs. As a result, the average market price of dry batteries in China was approximately RMB 0.54 per unit in 2022.

Overall, the dry battery industry continues to demonstrate stable growth momentum, supported by mature technology, broad application scenarios, and strong global demand.

R03,AAA Carbon Zinc Battery
R03,AAA Carbon Zinc Battery

I. Overview of Dry Batteries

A dry battery is a type of voltaic cell that uses absorbent materials (such as sawdust or gelatin) to immobilize the electrolyte in a paste form, preventing leakage. Dry batteries are widely used as power sources for flashlights, radios, toys, remote controls, clocks, medical devices, and household appliances.

After decades of development, China’s dry battery technology has made notable breakthroughs in specific energy, shelf life, and adaptability to high- and low-temperature environments, significantly narrowing the gap with international leaders.

According to the National Economic Industry Classification and Codes (GB/T 4754–2011) issued by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the dry battery industry falls under:

Manufacturing

Electrical Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing

Zinc–Manganese Battery Manufacturing

Battery Types by Electrolyte

Zinc-carbon batteries

Alkaline batteries

Lithium batteries

Silver oxide batteries

Mercury batteries (largely phased out due to environmental regulations)

Each battery type differs in chemical composition, energy density, discharge performance, and application scope.

R20,D Carbon Zinc Battery
R20,D Carbon Zinc Battery

Battery Types by Size

AAA (Micro)

AA (Standard)

C (Medium)

D (Large)

9V (Rectangular)

These standardized sizes allow dry battery manufacturers and suppliers to serve a wide range of consumer and industrial devices.

II. Industry Chain Analysis

The dry battery industry is characterized by mature technology, stable performance, high safety, ease of use, and wide applicability. Among them, zinc-manganese batteries—especially AA and AAA zinc-carbon batteries—are the most commonly used consumer batteries.

Industry data shows that zinc-carbon batteries offer the best cost-performance ratio, making them highly competitive in mass-market applications. Thanks to advantages such as:

Mature manufacturing processes

Low production cost

Long shelf life

Stable discharge performance

Environmentally friendly materials

Zinc-carbon and alkaline dry batteries remain irreplaceable consumer consumables in the short to medium term.

6F22,9V Carbon Zinc Battery
6F22,9V Carbon Zinc Battery

Key Application Scenarios

Electric toys

Household appliances

Home medical equipment

Outdoor electronic devices

Remote controls, clocks, and flashlights

As a result, dry battery manufacturers, producers, and OEM suppliers continue to play a vital role in global consumer electronics supply chains.

III. Current Development Status of China’s Dry Battery Industry

Since the 1990s, global manufacturing has gradually shifted toward developing countries, with China emerging as a global manufacturing hub due to its:

Stable economic environment

Complete industrial supply chain

Competitive labor and production costs

With continuous breakthroughs in fully automated battery production lines, China’s zinc-manganese and alkaline battery production capacity has expanded rapidly.

Meanwhile, due to rising labor costs and industrial restructuring, Europe, the United States, and Japan have largely exited large-scale zinc-manganese battery manufacturing, creating favorable conditions for Chinese dry battery factories and suppliers to dominate the global market.

LR03,AAA Alkaline Cell Battery Zinc Batteries
LR03,AAA Alkaline Cell Battery Zinc Batteries

Market Size and Regional Distribution

China’s dry battery market size reached approximately RMB 60.01 billion in 2022

Production is mainly concentrated in Zhejiang Province, accounting for about 29% of total output

Despite temporary disruptions caused by COVID-19 in early 2020, the industry quickly rebounded. Driven by rising alkaline battery output, total dry battery production and demand have continued to grow steadily.

IV. Market Competition Landscape

After years of development, China’s dry battery industry has achieved significant technological progress, with improvements in:

Energy density

Shelf life

Temperature adaptability

China has largely closed the gap with international leaders, and in some core technologies, has reached world-class standards, enabling domestic battery manufacturers and suppliers to expand exports worldwide.

However, the industry remains highly fragmented:

Many enterprises are small in scale

Technical levels vary significantly

Competition is concentrated in low-end products

Overall, industry concentration remains low, and market competition is intense.

LR6P,AA Alkaline Battery
LR6P,AA Alkaline Battery

Key Industry Players

Linyi Huatai Battery Co., Ltd. (Dry battery manufacturer & global supplier)

Dongguan Gaoli Battery Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Yonggao Battery Co., Ltd.

Guangxi Wuzhou Xinhua Battery Co., Ltd.

These companies represent the core force of China’s dry battery manufacturing and export industry.

V. Future Development Trends of China’s Dry Battery Industry

Shandong Huatai New Energy Battery Co.,Ltd.
Shandong Huatai New Energy Battery Co.,Ltd.

1. Technology Innovation and High-Efficiency Energy

With continuous R&D investment, dry batteries are expected to achieve:

Higher capacity materials

Improved structural design

Increased energy density and discharge efficiency

Advanced alkaline batteries and lithium primary batteries will become key growth drivers for battery manufacturers and OEM suppliers.

2. Environmental Protection and Sustainability

Rising global environmental awareness is pushing the industry toward:

Mercury-free and heavy-metal-free batteries

Recyclable and eco-friendly materials

Reduced environmental impact across the battery lifecycle

Research into water-based batteries and organic batteries may accelerate in the future.

3. Intelligent Applications and IoT Integration

With the rapid development of smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), dry batteries will increasingly be used in:

Smart home systems

Wearable electronics

Sensors and low-power intelligent terminals

This trend will create new opportunities for battery producers and technology-oriented suppliers.

4. Market Diversification and Customized Solutions

As consumer and industrial demands diversify, dry battery applications will continue to expand. Manufacturers and suppliers will increasingly provide:

Customized battery solutions

OEM and private-label services

Specialized batteries for medical, industrial, and outdoor use.

Huatai Battery Group
Shandong Huatai New Energy Battery Co.,Ltd.

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