mineral · input
High-purity electrolytic MnO2 (≥91% purity) used as the cathode active material in alkaline cells. Each AA cell contains approximately 6–8 grams of EMD; global alkaline production consumes over 100,000 tonnes of EMD annually.
4
Source countries
4
Companies
1
Goods affected
0
Claims on record
What depends on it
1 essential American goods rely on electrolytic manganese dioxide (emd) somewhere upstream in their supply chain.
Where it comes from
Share of global supply, by country.
| Country | Share of supply |
|---|---|
| CNChina | 60% |
| JPJapan | 15% |
| USUnited States | 8% |
| GRGreece | 5% |
Who makes it
4 companies produce electrolytic manganese dioxide (emd).
China's largest and the world's largest producer of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD). Founded 1958. Annual EMD capacity of 110,000 tonnes (~25% of global supply). Operates plants in Xiangtan, Hunan and Jingxi, Guangxi. Core supplier to global alkaline battery manufacturers.
Major Japanese chemical company with one of the world's largest battery-grade EMD capacities. Produces EMD at its Hyuga plant in Japan and through subsidiary Tosoh Hellas in Greece (~40% of group's EMD output). Expanded Japan EMD capacity in June 2023.
Chinese manganese products company (SHEX: 600891) headquartered in Guizhou Province; major EMD producer and manganese ore miner. Owns 250,000 tonne/year manganese carbonate mining capacity. Q1 2024 EMD production: ~3,791 tonnes. Vertically integrated from Guizhou manganese ore mining through EMD production for alkaline battery cathode supply. Part of China's dominant position in global EMD (China collectively ~60%+ of global supply).
U.S. specialty materials company (private, HQ Houston TX); major EMD producer following acquisition of Erachem manganese business from Eramet (France). Erachem had been one of Europe/North America's significant EMD producers supplying alkaline battery makers including Duracell and Energizer. Vibrantz (formerly Prince International) is now the primary Western EMD alternative to Asian producers. Also produces other specialty materials including pigments and performance materials for coatings.
