The FCG12-200 model from MCA has 200Ah capacity and 12V rating. It carries CE and UL approval.

Most suppliers leverage semigel products’ reliability and price advantages over AGM and pure-gel kinds.

Gel battery makers in China are building up the category as a follow-through to efforts to diversify the overall VRLA line. A few more have joined tier 1 companies in developing OPzV and spiral-wound types. They include Bosfa and Hangzhou Zhongyi, which have released respective models. The former kind uses tubular positive plates and lasts between 15 and 20 years. Spiral-wound units have a life span surpassing 10 years, and up to 50C momentary discharge capability and -55 to 75 C operating temperature. At present, fewer than 10 suppliers turn out the latter variants.

The majority of companies focus on semigel units. In terms of features, the last are closer to traditional AGM batteries but exhibit greater reliability. This is because semigel kinds use gelled electrolyte, ensuring no leakage when the battery is damaged. They adopt glass mat separators instead of micropore PVC-SiO₂ employed in gel models. The latter component, together with SiO₂ electrolyte, is usually sourced from foreign providers, making it more costly to utilize. Compared with conventional AGM units, gel releases are quoted about 40 percent higher, while the difference is about 5 percent only for semigel counterparts.

China suppliers began turning out semigel batteries in 2010 but yield did not grow significantly until last year. The subcategory now represents about 80 percent of China’s overall gel VRLA battery volume.

Interviewed makers Anhui Xinneng Power Technology Co. Ltd, Chaowei Power Co. Ltd, Guangzhou Jalon Power Co. Ltd and MCA Battery Manufacture Co. Ltd offer mainly semigel varieties. The second allocates the rest of production for pure-gel kinds, while the rest continue to keep AGM units in their catalogs. MCA will raise the output share of gel batteries to 50 percent from 40 percent by year-end. At Anhui Xinneng, such products already account for 80 percent of yield.

In coming years, the electric vehicle or EV and telecom sectors will fuel demand. The former is projected to post nearly 20 percent CAGR from 2012-15, from which local battery companies hope to benefit. The second will see about 40 percent growth this year, thanks to ongoing 4G projects.

Manufacturers also look to gain from the rising popularity of “green” energy, particularly the solar and wind power storage segment.

Spurred by these developments, suppliers set higher sales targets by year-end. Shenzhen Sunnyway Battery Tech Co. Ltd expects to double its revenue, while Anhui Xinneng anticipates a boost of between 25 and 30 percent. MCA aims to achieve about 15 percent greater sales, and will expand production capacity by 30 percent.

Makers are likewise counting on less competition to drive the line. The national government’s sustained environmental protection campaign has reduced further the number of VRLA battery suppliers from 1,100 in 2013 to just above 300. All remaining players produce gel types. Prior to the implementation of firmer regulations, there were 2,000 suppliers in 2011.

Despite the industry’s continued consolidation, output continues to climb at a rate surpassing 10 percent. In 2013, this reached 205 million kVAh and will hit 244 million kVAh by 2015. As such, China remains the world’s largest manufacturing base of VRLA batteries with about 50 percent share of yield.

The major hubs are the provinces of Zhejiang, Hubei, Hebei and Jiangsu. The first two areas produce 29 and 11 percent of total local turnout, while Hebei and Jiangsu contribute 10 percent each.

Suppliers are confident VRLA batteries’ mature technology, high performance and low price will sustain the line’s lead over NiMH and lithium rivals in the secondary battery market. Its share exceeds 60 percent at present.

For these advantages, such batteries are widely used in the transportation, telecom, electric power, medical, industrial, aviation and navigation fields. Automotive starting and EV power batteries, and backup and energy storage power are the major applications.

0.25 to 4,000Ah units

China companies offer gel and semigel types with 0.25 to 4,000Ah capacity, and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 36V nominal voltage. Owing to its similarity with conventional AGM kinds, the latter variant is mainly used in high-current discharge applications, particularly starting batteries. Gel units target cyclic uses such as energy storage and motive power.

Based on electrical characteristics, there are deep-cycle and high rate discharge units. The former products suit cyclic applications, including solar and wind power systems, EVs, power tools and backup power. The second variant is for starting batteries.

Suppliers also categorize their selections by application. The range consists of starting, stationary, motive power and energy storage types. The first two lead supply, accounting for about 80 percent of China’s gel battery production value.

VRLA batteries consist of positive plates, negative plates, separator, container, terminal poles, valves and electrolyte. Lead, vitriol, plastic and separators are the key manufacturing inputs, with the first representing about 70 percent of total outlay. Companies adopt locally sourced lead materials.

MCA, Guangzhou Jalon and Anhui Xinneng produce battery plates in-house.

All inputs used in semigel batteries come from domestic providers. Micropore PVC-SiO₂ separators are mainly from Amer-Sil and gas-phase SiO₂ electrolyte from Germany.

Related reports:
LiFePO₄ batteries: Makers support line buildup amid cost, patent challenges
Li-polymer power storage batteries: Suppliers advance line

Product gallery

Anhui Xinneng Power Technology Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: 6-GFM-100
MOQ: 200 units
Delivery: 25 days
Description: 100Ah; 12V; 328x172x222mm; 30kg; for UPS, solar and wind power generation systems, electric vehicles, golf cars, buggies, wheelchairs, power tools, gardening and cleaning equipment, security systems; CCC, CE, RoHS

Chaowei Power Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: 3-EVF-200
MOQ: 10 units
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 200Ah; 6V; 600 cycles at 80% depth of discharge, 400 cycles at 100%; 260x180x270mm; 36kg; for electric vehicles, golf carts; CE

Guangzhou Jalon Power Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: GEL200-12
MOQ: 50 units
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 200Ah; 12V; 60kg; for solar and wind power generation systems, toys, communication and telecom equipment, LED lighting, UPS, emergency power systems and lighting, security systems; CE, UL

MCA Battery Manufacture Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: FCG12-200
MOQ: 30 units
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 200Ah; 12V; ABS housing; 522x240x219mm; 58.5kg; for communication equipment, power transmission, solar and wind power generation systems, signal and emergency lighting, UPS; CE, UL

Shenzhen Sunnyway Battery Tech Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: SWG121000
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 25 days
Description: 100Ah; 12V; T10 or T16 terminals; -20 to 50 C operating temperature; 331x173x213mm, 235mm total height; 32kg; for UPS, solar and wind power generation systems, telecom equipment, emergency lighting, security systems; CE, UL