Akai of Japan has launched, for the first time in India, its range of batteries, claimed to be eco-friendly because they contain no mercury or cadmium. The range includes zinc chloride, alkaline, rechargeable and ready-to-use batteries.
Country Head, Akai Energy India Ltd, S. L. Naryanan, said after the first year if the market growth is promising, Akai might set up a local manufacturing plant for the batteries, possibly with its licensee for India, Bangalore-based Unitech Trades and Imports, as partner. “In the first year of operations we expect to gain 7 per cent of the Rs. 1,800-crore Indian market for batteries,” he added. For now, the batteries will be imported from Japan.
“Market trends indicate dry batteries have volumes of Rs. 1,800 crore with a 6-8 per cent growth; CFL batteries have a 20-25 per cent share amounting to Rs. 1,200 crore and the fastest growing segment, LED torches, have 25-30 per share with Rs. 3,000-crore sales. Among batteries, rechargeable varieties have the highest growth of around 26-30 per cent,” Mr. Narayanan said.
Globally, all batteries together had an average annual growth of 6-7 per cent. This was the same in India too. The first phase of the launch would cover nine States, including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu with the rest of the country covered over one year. By then, Akai would also have launched its CFL lamps, lanterns and torches.
The present launch included refresh technology chargers for professional photographers and cameramen.
