Dr. Jinn-Lung Wang interviewed by
2004 Taipei Power Forum – Nikkei Electronics Asia
Q：Can
Dr. Wang describe how Molicel manages its main productions
Ａ：
Our company specializes in lithium-ion
cell production. Since taking over Moli (Canada) in 2000,
our company divided up production as having Tainan site focusing
on prismatic cell and Canadian site focusing on cylinder
cell. The main Canadian products include 18650, 26650 (high-power),
and 26700 (cylinder power cell). Since the Taiwan site switched
to producing 10mm prismatic lithium-ion cell in 2002 Q3,
both stations of our company have targeted focus on producing
cells for laptops, portable DVD, etc.
In this serial industry,
the quality and property of batteries are judged critically.
Only firms with great strategy can meet the demands. Molicel
has also collaborated with HP Compaq and Apple for product
development. Because our merchandise has received continual
approval from numerous international big firms, the profit
grew one fold in 2003 compare to 2002. This amounts to around
23 hundred million NTD.
This makes us the 16th fastest growing
firm in Taiwan according to Tianxia Magazine. We forecast
continual small level growth in the year of 2004. And because
of market demand, Molicel will build a circular line in the
Canadian site which can simultaneously manufacture 18650
high rate cell and 26700 power cells. The line structure
is expected to be completed by December and will start manufacturing
immediately. And since demands for high quality lithium-ion
cells for mobile phones, PDA, and DSC are growing rapidly,
Molicel will restart production of 5mm and 6mm high-capacity
small sized lithium-ion batteries. In all, Molicel’s product
line will become more diversified, and better attuned to
customer needs and market demands.
Ｑ：Please describe the main products
that Molicel will launch during this show.
Ａ：
Market needs always shape the development of products. Molicel’s
focus will be towards high-capacity and high-power products.
In the 2004 Taipei International Power convention, Molicel
will launch the 18650 (cylinder-cell) series and the 103459
(prismatic-cell) series. And to show that our high-power
product line is near the completion stage, the 26700 series
of lithium-ion cylinder will be the focus of our show.
Ｑ：What is Molicel’s
future prospect? Can you give a brief description of the schedule
of the new product launch?
Ａ：
The developments of portable digital device revolutionizes
every day. And to fit into the trend of developing multi-function,
light-weighted devices, increasing the capacity density of
lithium-ion cell will continue to be a chief focus. Also, because
Molicel possess sophisticated lithium-maganate materials application
technology, we have great potential in developing high-power
batteries. Thus it will be another focus. Molcel’s 2.4Ah18650
cylinder cell is a leading design in its expertise market.
We will continue to renovate this series of design, and we
estimate to launch a higher capacity series by 2005/Q3. And
because market demands continue to rise for 5mm and 6mm small
sized battery (high power and high capacity), Molicel will
begin a new production line for such batteries (save the 103450
series) starting 2005/Q1.
Ｑ：What is your perspective
on Molicel’s market potential and products usage?
Ａ：
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries arise from the early development
of nickel cadmium batteries and nickel metal hydride batteries.
Because different digital devices requires the support from
varying battery properties, the lithium-ion battery (with high
capacity and high power) slowly took over the market of these
two batteries over the last ten years. Nevertheless, the market
demands still diversify to a certain degree. For instance,
domestic devices such as cordless phones, power tools, and
most wireless handsets still require the use of nickel cadmium
and nickel metal hydride. The costs, application technology,
and user preferences penetrate the electrical system development
of these batteries. Thus, for the area of replacement, lithium-ion
has already achieved a wide degree of market-takeover. After
launching production of traction batteries, Molicel will change
the application properties of such product. As for new markets,
lithium-ion cell will continue to be the focusing concept of
developing new products for power system. To specify, the likes
of the DVD projector in 2003 and the PMP portable devices in
2004 al use lithium-ion cell as power provider.
On the whole, portable digital device development diversifies
and revolutionizes very quickly. Thus, the demand for better
batteries also grows. And since production capacity from Japanese
and Korean firms continues to increase, the market will face
a short period of supply surpassing demand. This will affect
the product prices. Also, the cost of producing lithium colbotate
rises incessantly, but the product price cannot rise along.
Add this along with the disequilibrium of the market, Molicel
faces great pressure in minimizing price outlays to ensure
survival in the industry. In such challenging market conditions,
it helps to flex the production line to develop niche market
products. Irregardless, Molicel will always seek to decrease
the costs of materials and productions to lower product prices.
With the continual breakthroughs of the fuel battery and zinc-air
battery technologies, the future of the power industry is expansive.
It supporting portable digital devices, we anticipate that
lithium-ion cell will be our product focus. Limited by the
controllable, lithium-ion cell will have less of a market in
great sized power systems. Yet on the other hand, fuel battery
and zinc-air battery may be just the solution for such demand
markets.
To contact the reporters on this story: +886-2-2567-3500
#823
2004 News 