Battery-Grade Zinc Powder

Belgian zinc powder company (HQ Brussels, part of Recticel Group, then independent); operates 12 global production sites for specialty zinc powders. ZBM (Zinc Battery Material) product line for alkaline batteries produced since 1976; major global supplier to Energizer, Duracell, Panasonic Battery, and other alkaline battery makers. Battery zinc powder must be alloyed with trace indium or bismuth additives to suppress hydrogen gas evolution (gassing) — regular zinc powder cannot substitute. EverZinc's global footprint (Europe, North America, Asia) makes it the most geographically distributed battery zinc powder supplier.

German zinc and chemical company (HQ Duisburg, family-owned); founded in 1842 by Wilhelm Grillo — making Grillo-Werke older than the telephone (1876), the light bulb (1879), and the automobile (1885). Produces battery-grade zinc powder under the BatteryZinc® brand for alkaline battery anodes; claims to be the only full-range European battery zinc powder supplier with particle sizes from 20-600 μm and guaranteed purity >99.995%. Also produces zinc oxide (for tires, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals), sulfuric acid, and specialty chemicals. The same German family company that made zinc before electricity was discovered makes the zinc powder in every Duracell and Varta battery sold in Europe today.

Japanese non-ferrous metals company (TSE: 5707, HQ Tokyo); major zinc smelter and zinc powder producer for Japanese battery manufacturers including Panasonic Battery (Matsushita). Toho Zinc's battery zinc powder division supplies the alloyed powder required for Japanese-produced alkaline cells. Also produces lead, indium, and other non-ferrous metals — including indium which itself is used as an additive in battery zinc powder to suppress gassing.

Canadian specialty zinc powder producer (Belleville, Ontario); supplies battery-grade zinc powder to North American alkaline battery assemblers. One of the few North American-based zinc powder manufacturers for battery applications. Feeds from Canadian and imported SHG zinc through air atomization process to produce alloyed battery powder for AA/AAA/C/D cell anodes.

World's largest alkaline battery brand, wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway since February 2016. Assembles all AA, AAA, C, and D batteries sold in the US at two US plants: LaGrange, GA (AA/AAA) and Cleveland, TN (C/D). Also operates factories in Belgium and China.

Major alkaline and specialty battery manufacturer, second-largest consumer battery company globally. Owns Eveready and Rayovac brands. Operates six US plants and key international facilities in Singapore, Belgium, Indonesia, and Brazil.