Other and primary batteries

Emerging rechargeable chemistries and single-use cells.

Storage · Electrochemical · No. 77

• Storage
• Duration: Hours

An ordinary AA alkaline cell can sit in a drawer for 10 years and still deliver its charge.

Chart: Illustration: Other and primary batteries

Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Primary cells such as alkaline AAs are made to be used once, while rechargeable zinc, magnesium and potassium cells copy the lithium-ion idea with commoner metals.

Three things to know

1. Water-based zinc-ion cells cannot burn, but typical pouch cells still last under 300 cycles.
2. Lithium carbonate fell from USD 63,700/t in 2022 to about USD 9,000/t in 2025, shrinking the payoff from lithium substitutes.
3. The EU wants 63% of portable batteries collected by 2027 and 73% by 2030.

The journey

1. 1 Common metalsZinc, magnesium, potassium, manganese, silver
2. 2 Cell designIons shuttle or plate onto metal
3. 3 Single useAlkaline, coin and button cells
4. 4 Rechargeable trialsZinc-ion, magnesium-ion, potassium-ion
5. 5 End of lifeCollected, recycled or thrown away

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