SEOUL, KOREA - Samsung SDI established a dominant presence in a small lithium ion secondary cell market, widening its lead over No. 2 player by more than 10 percentage points.
Key factors behind the robust growth of Samsung SDI include the strong growth in sales of Samsung Electronics' smartphones that are mounted with Samsung SDI's batteries, plus its strategy of preempting such niche markets as electric power tools and e-bicycles.
According to market research firm Japan IIT, Samsung SDI commanded a market share of 28.2 percent in the world's small lithium ion rechargeable cell market in the first quarter of this year. Samsung SDI has maintained its No. 1 spot since 2010. Its first-quarter market share was the highest in history. Following Samsung SDI were LG Chem (17.5%), Panasonic (16.1%) and Sony (7.7%).
Samsung SDI's market share rose by 4 percentage points from 24.2 percent in the fourth quarter of last year to 28.2 percent in the first quarter of this year. In contrast, LG Chem, Panasonic, and Sony each saw their market share fall to 17.5 percent, 16.1 percent, and 7.7 percent from 17.8 percent, 16.9 percent, and 8.8 percent.
