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Collection Potential for Nickel-Cadmium Batteries in Denmark 2 NiCd battery use and consumption2.1 Cordless power tools In this section, the consumption of NiCd batteries for different uses in Denmark is assessed. The assessment is a low cost update of previous assessments made in Denmark on the same issue (Maag and Hansen, 1994 and Drivsholm et al., 2000). The data collection for the consumption assessment has been focused on the major remaining uses, whereas for abandoned and minor uses, less data have been collected for this update and the estimates for such uses are to a large extend based on information collected in the previous studies in combination with indicative data on resent trends. The NiCd battery uses can be grouped as shown below, according to the efforts invested in collecting updated data for the consumption assessment. For all applications, consumption updates were assessed for the period 1997-2002, whereas consumption data for previous years were taken from the existing studies (Maag and Hansen, 1994 and Drivsholm et al., 2000). Besides data and expert estimates on the specific battery uses, data on the Danish battery tax revenues for the period 1997-2002 have been collected and included in the assessment. These data are considered as reliably showing legally registered NiCd trade in Denmark, and have been used for cross checking the sum of the individually quantified consumption estimates. Consumption updates for the following uses are based on detailed, updated, quantitative data in combination with data from previous studies. These appliances are still sold with NiCd batteries. They are described in somewhat more detail than the rest of the NiCd battery uses:
Consumption updates for the following uses are based on indicative, semi-quantitative data/information (for example on trends) in combination with data from previous studies. The consumption of NiCd batteries for these used has ceased in Denmark today, or is minimal. These uses are presented on a summary level only and more detail can be found in Drivsholm et al. (2000):
Consumption updates for the following uses are based on data from previous studies in combination with general background knowledge (no new data collected particularly for this assessment). The consumption of NiCd batteries for these used is considered as ceased in Denmark today, or as minimal These uses are presented on a summary level only and more detail can be found in Drivsholm et al. (2000):
2.1 Cordless power toolsApplication and trendsThe sales of battery powered hand tools, also called cordless power tools, are dominated by screwing/drilling machines. Examples of other tools with minimal contributions to the total sales in this product category are hammer drills, circular saws, sanding machines, and certain gardening hand tools. Today the large majority of batteries used for cordless power tools are readily replaceable battery packs produced specifically for the individual product or product series. These battery packs are not build into the tool itself and are taken out of the tool when being recharged. The sales are dominated by machines with voltages at or above 12V, meaning that these battery packs consist of 10 or more connected battery cells in a common plastic casing. If any, only a small number of low voltage specialty tools are equipped with build-in batteries. The product category is still dominated by NiCd-batteries, but NiMH-batteries were introduced on the Danish market in 1998 and have, after a slow start, been gaining higher parts of the market during the last few years. As the newest development, Li-ion batteries have been introduced with one product - a small screwing machine - by one producer in 2003. Contrary to many other uses of rechargeable batteries, the alternatives to NiCd batteries have not been generally acknowledged as technically advantageous. Only recently an increasing acknowledgement of the higher power capacities seems to appear among high-end professional users. The cordless power tools market is split in two distinct product groups designed for two segments; professional users such as carpenters and other craftsmen, and the so-called Do-It-Yourself segment, meaning mainly private users. This distinction is important both because of clear differences in product price and quality, and because the two groups use the tools quite differently with a significant influence on the life-time of the NiCd-batteries in the machines. The professionals generally use heavier machines with higher voltage, meaning more battery cells per tool. The Danish professional market has been dominated by well known international brands ever since cordless power tools gained a significant market in Denmark. The do-it-yourself market was originally satisfied by a selection of the same well known brands, but in the late 1990's extremely low-priced so-called "No Name" cordless power tools produced in the Far East were introduced on the market. These products were sold at prices below half of the prices seen for well known brands with the same voltage, and to a large part in super markets and general stores. Otherwise cordless power tools have mainly been sold in DIY centres and tool shops. In the beginning, the No Name products were marked as equipped with NiCd-batteries, but since 2001/2002, No Name cordless power tools with NiMH-batteries have been dominating. In a recent survey (Danish EPA, 2004) performed by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the Danish market for No Name power tools marked as containing NiMH batteries was screened to check the actual battery types used in the products. The survey aimed at getting a broad coverage of the No Name power tools market. In total, 13 different product names (series) were identified at visits to super marked chains and DIY chains assumed to cover most of the Danish market for these products. The cadmium contents of each of these products were analysed. One of the analysed products contained NiCd batteries, but was marked as "Environment friendly batteries" on the sales package (in Danish "Miljørigtige batterier"), and was not marked with battery type on the battery unit it self. Two other products contained NiMH batteries, but had slightly elevated cadmium concentrations. All 10 other products marked as with NiMH batteries also contained NiMH batteries (Danish EPA, 2004). NiCd tax may likely have been paid for the power tools with batteries lacking indications of battery type, but this is not known. In addition, during the work of collecting data for the present report, information has been received from a number of sources that indicate that some of the No Name products marked as containing NiMH may actually have contained NiCd batteries. The information presented above indicate, that a limited amount of NiCd-equipped No Name power tools may have been sold over the last few years also, whether marked as NiMH or not. This conclusion is implemented in the consumption estimates for power tools described below. Consumption of cordless power toolsThe annual sales of cordless power tools of well known brands in Denmark are registered by LTEH (the Danish association of suppliers of transportable power tools and gardening machines). Detailed data on their registered sales in the years 1996-2002 distributed on battery voltages and user segments have been received for this assessment, and similar sales data were received for the former assessments on the issue made by Maag and Hansen (1994) and Drivsholm et al. (2000). The detailed data were used in the calculations for the assessment but cannot be disclosed in this report for reasons of confidentiality. The total number of cordless power tools sold and registered by LTEH members in the years 1996 to 2002 are however presented in table 2.1 distributed on the professional and the do-it-yourself markets. Table 2-1 Sales of cordless power tools registered by LTEH, in 1000 pcs/y.
Consumption of NiCd-batteriesBased on the following factors the annual consumption of NiCd-batteries with cordless power tools was estimated for the years 1996-2002 as presented in table 2.2. For comparison, table 2.8 in section 2.9.1 shows consumption estimates for the whole period, including the years 1985-1993 derived by Maag and Hansen (1994) using similar estimation methods, but with parameters describing the situation at that time. The 1996 data were re-calculated here with more precise data compared to the estimates derived by Maag in Drivsholm et al. (2000) for 1996. The calculations of numbers of battery packs sold are based on actual sales of power tools distributed on specific ranges of battery voltages as registered by LTEH. The sales numbers were adjusted for sales not covered by the LTEH statistics and sales of NiMH-powered tools as described below. The tonnages of battery sales were calculated from the total sales of battery packs, combined with data on the number of cells per battery pack in each range of voltages in the LTEH statistics, and data on the weight of the individual cells and other parts of the battery pack (shell, cables etc.).
For the do-it-yourself market the LTEH members also dominate the sales of branded products, but as mentioned above, the sale of No Name machines marked as containing NiCd-batteries have had some share of the market. Data on the sales of NiCd No Name power tools have been requested for this assessment from selected importers and retailer chains with own imports from the Far East, but unfortunately only scattered information has been made available and good estimates are therefore difficult to give. Based on the available information however, the LTEH market shares on NiCd powered do-it-yourself machines were assumed to be 75-90% in the years 1997-2000 (when low price No Name machines were NiCd-equipped), and 80-95% in the years 2001-2002. The interval for the last period also accounts for a limited sale - perhaps only a few thousand machines per year - of NiCd powered No Name tools; as mentioned above some may have been marked as with NiMH batteries. NiCd tax have perhaps not been paid for all of these sales, and they may thereby not all be covered in the NiCd-tax revenue data presented in section 2.9.2. For practical reasons, the sales of these NiCd-machines are however considered as included in the NiCd tax revenue data. The uncertainty introduced with this assumption is considered as minimal.
Figure 2-1 NiCd share of total battery sales for professional power tools (means only)
Besides the dominating brands, a number of other brands with small sales are present on the Danish professional market. According to the authors own observations in retail shops and product catalogues, all or most of these brands also sell both NiCd-powered machines and the alternatives. In these estimates, the NiCd-share of the sales of smaller brands are considered equal to the average NiCd-share of the dominating brands. The uncertainty introduced by this assumption is very limited. As regards the do-it-yourself market, branded power tools with alternative battery types exist, but are deemed of no or minimal importance in the national sales numbers in the covered years. For this assesment, all battery packs for branded do-it-yourself power tools are considered as NiCd. Table 2-2 Estimated NiCd-battery sales with cordless power tools*1
Note *1: For explanation of 5% and 95% quantile values, see section 3.2. 2.2 Communication equipment2.2.1 Portable radio equipment (LMR)Application and trendsHand portable radio equipment, also called portable "Land Mobile Radio" is in 2004 sold almost exclusively with NiMH or Li-ion batteries, but NICd powered LMR radios are still marketed. But the market has been more conservative than for other handheld electronic equipment due to high demand for continued performance. This factor combined with high prices for the radios and relatively long lifetimes of the radios compared to the battery lifetimes, have the result that the sales of extra battery packs for existing radios is still deemed considerable. NiMH batteries produced for use in radios originally equipped with NiCd batteries have been marketed in Denmark at least since 1998, but at that time they were more expensive than the corresponding NiCd batteries. LMR radios contain 1 battery in the radios sales package, but most users buy an extra battery from the start due to a need for non-stop use. The LMR look like old hand portable mobile phones, though generally somewhat larger. They send in closed radio frequencies and require a sending permit according to Danish legislation. LMR is used by police, fire departments, rescue and guarding companies, military, the railway systems etc. Other types of LMR equipment are build into vehicles etc. and do not require individual batteries. Cheaper toy-like walkie talkies (PMR) are not included in this category; see section 2.2.4. Consumption of NiCd batteriesThe consumption of NiCd batteries for LMR equipment was estimated roughly here based on findings by Drivsholm et al. (2000), new quantitative data from large importers of LMR radios and batteries for this purpose, as well as from surveys of the assortment of retailers/importers of "copy batteries" (displayed at the respective companies web pages). The estimates for the years 1997-2002 shown in table 2.3 were calculated based on the following observations and expert judgements:
Table 2-3 Consumption estimates for NiCd batteries with portable LMR radio equipment
Battery lifetimeBased on information from majors suppliers average battery lifetime for this product type is estimated at about 2 years. Most the radios are used continuously round the clock with two batteries used in rotation (one in use while the other is being recharged). Batteries lifetime is estimated at 200-300 recharging cycles. For this assessment, the lifetime distribution for old type heavy mobile phones are used as an approximation (average life 2 years, maximum life about 4 years; see appendix A). 2.2.2 Hand portable mobile phonesMobile phones (cell phones) have been the second largest use of NiCd batteries in Denmark in the mid 1990's. The consumption boomed with extensive sales campaigns for mobile phone subscriptions in 1995 and 1996. The mobile phones themselves were sold at symbolic prices because the mobile service providers covered the prices over the subscription fees. Mobile phones has been a frontrunner product in the pursuit of low weight high capacity batteries, and at that time high end phones were already sold with the technically better NiMH and Li-ion batteries. But many of the campaign phones were sold with NiCd batteries due to lower prices. Detailed data were collected in 1998 on the 1996 consumption situation by Drivsholm et al. (2000). Even in 1998, the supply of new phones with NiCd had ceased completely and retailers reported that extra batteries for some NiCd powered mobile phones were out of the trade. No additional quantitative data on the consumption of NiCd batteries with mobile phones have been collected for this study, but qualitative information from a few importers/retailers indicate that the sales of mobile phones with NiCd batteries ceased quickly after the 1996 boom - in 1996/1997 for the interviewed companies - and that the sales of extra NiCd batteries for some phones continued for a couple of years after that. Today, no NiCd batteries for mobile phones can be found in the assortment of Danish copy-battery importers/ retailers - an indication that the use of NiCd batteries for mobile phones has actually ceased completely. This information indicates a rather quick drop in supply and an asymptotic convergence to zero in the last years of the covered period. Sales of replacing battery packs in 1997-1998 are however expected to have reflected the high sales of NiCd-powered mobile phones in 1995-1996 (battery mean lifetime about 1,5 years). This is also indicated by the total consumption balance versus tax-derived data, see section 2.9.2. The information above in combination with data from previous studies (Maag and Hansen, 1994, and Drivsholm et al., 2000) is the background for the expert estimates of the consumption development after 1996 shown in table 2.8, section 2.9.1, and the other data summarised in table 2.4 below. Data for 1994 and 1995 are based on interpolation between 1993 and 1996. The uncertainty associated with the consumption data given in table 2.8 is roughly estimated at +/- 50% of the shown best estimates for the years 1997-2002, +/- 20% in 1993-1995, and only +/- 15% in 1996. Table 2-4 Summary of other data for mobile phones
2.2.3 Cordless telephonesNew information from a few importers/retailers in combination with 1998 data collected by Drivsholm et al. (2000) and own observation indicate that the use of NiCd batteries for cordless phones have ceased in Denmark today. In 1996 most cordless phones were equipped with NiCd batteries. In 1998, substitution was ongoing and some cordless phones were still sold with NiCd batteries. Importers/retailers inform that they stopped buying new cordless phones with NiCd batteries in 2000. Extra NiCd battery packs for cordless phones are still sold in 2004 in very limited numbers. The latter is also indicated by the assortment of Danish copy-battery importers/retailers (as seen on the Internet). It is clearly dominated by other battery types for cordless phones, but NiCd batteries are still marketed for this purpose. The consumption of NiCd batteries with cordless phones was minimal in 1996 compared to other uses, because of the moderate sales of these - at that time still relatively expensive phones - and due to the low battery weight per telephone. Since a moderate sale of about 60,000-100,000 cordless phones (all battery types) per year in 1998 (Drivsholm et al., 2000), sales have increased to an estimated 450,000 pcs/y in 2002 and 395,000 pcs/y in 2003 (BFE, 2004). As mentioned, NiMh batteries are considered as dominating for this use on the Danish market, but as prices have dropped and low price "No Name" cordless phones have been marketed in supermarkets etc., it cannot be ruled out that some of these have been equipped with NiCd batteries. Based on this scarce information an asymptotic convergence to a low supply in the last years of the covered period is assumed. The uncertainty associated with the consumption data given is roughly estimated at +/- 100% of the shown best estimates. The information above in combination with data from previous studies (Maag and Hansen, 1994, and Drivsholm et al., 2000) is the background for the expert estimates of the consumption development after 1996 shown in table 2.8, section 2.9.1, and the other data summarised in table 2.5 below. The uncertainty associated with the consumption data given is roughly estimated at +/- 100% of the shown best estimates for the years 1997-2002, +/- 50% in 1993-1995, and +/- 30% in 1996. Table 2-5 Summary of other data for cordless phones
2.2.4 Short range walkie-talkies (PMR)No systematic data collection on short range walkie-talkie, so-called PMR, have been performed. They do not require sending permits and are sold as toys or low price alternatives to mobile communication on the workplace. While such walkie-talkies have traditionally been equipped with individual battery cells, primary or rechargeable, they are today (also?) marketed with small internal battery packages similar to the ones in cordless telephones. Some of these are likely equipped with NiMH batteries (for example some super market chains have a no/low NiCd policy for this type of products). On the other hand, NiCd-powered PMR's have been identified on Danish websites offering communication products. No data were collected on the consumption of NiCd batteries with PMR's, but they most likely have much lower sales rates than cordless phones, and they have similar or smaller batteries. As a conservative estimate, a consumption of 2 tonnes/y for this purpose is assumed for the period 1997-2002. Battery lifetimes are assumed equal to cordless telephones. The uncertainty associated with the consumption data given is roughly estimated at +/- 100% of the shown best estimates for the years 1993-2002. 2.3 Cordless vacuum cleanersAccording to information from the main importers of cordless vacuum cleaners, so-called dustbusters, and own observations in retailer stores, the majority of the brands are today equipped with NiMH batteries. Some brands are however still containing NiCd batteries, and the NiCd consumption estimates for dustbusters in 2001-2003 presented in table 2.6 are based on quantitative data from the importers of these brands. Data from 1996 are from Drivsholm et al. (2000). Tonnage data for the period 1997-2000 are expert estimates based partly on the total development in dustbuster sales, partly on market share estimates for the years 2001-2003. According to FEHA (2004), the Danish association of producers and importers of electric household products, the total dustbuster sales (regardless of battery type) was estimated at about 70,000 pcs/y in 1996, booming to around 150,000 pcs/y in 1997 and 1998, and decreasing to 80,000 in 1999 and 60,000 in 2000. In 1998, the market was still dominated by NiCd-powered dustbusters (Drivsholm et al., 2000). Some importers and retailers have described that their substitution of NiCd batteries in new production of this kind of products happened quite fast after the entering into force of the NiCd tax legislation, that means about 1997/1998. This information indicate that sales of NiCd sales with dustbusters most likely increased from 1996 to 1997, and thereafter declined significantly resulting from both the general saturation of the dustbuster market and the shift towards other battery types. Consumption estimates from the whole period 1985-2002 are presented in table 2.8, section 2.9.1. Data from 1985-1993 are from Maag and Hansen, and data from 1994-1995 are interpolations. According to importers, NiCd batteries in dustbuster are generally not replaced after defect. Because of the relatively low prices of the dustbusters, the whole product is replaced instead. Table 2-6 Consumption estimates for dustbusters in the period 1996-2002
Table 2-7 Summary of other data for cordless dustbusters
2.4 Emergency lightsApplication and trendsAccording to suppliers, and the Danish trade association for emergency lighting, self-supplying emergency lighting devices on the Danish market are always NiCd-powered. Other systems with a central power unit supplying several lights are always equipped with lead accumulators. Most of the consumption is imported and only a minor part is produced in Denmark. The emergency light units typically include 3-5 NiCd cells, most often size C cells, but sometimes larger cells (cell capacities range from 1,2 to 7Ah, meaning that also larger cells are used). The use of NiMH batteries have been attempted, but the needed confidence in the performance of NiMH batteries for this use have so far not been established. As a security product, emergency light devices are covered by performance and maintenance regulation. According to the regulation in force, a NiCd cell used for this purpose must have a proven lifetime of at least 4 years. For public rooms for more than 150 persons, the functioning of the electrical installations, including emergency light devices, should be checked and certified annually. The certification document must be sent to a central agency ("Elektricitetsrådet"). For smaller rooms, a similar test must be performed every three years, and the test results must be submitted to the local fire department. At such checks, often performed by local electricians, the batteries of emergency light devices are checked and replaced as necessary. Suppliers note that the required routine checks are not always done, meaning that the battery replacement may likely be lower than the regulation would indicate. Based on in formation from major importers/suppliers to the Danish market, the annual sales of new self-supplying emergency light devices can be estimated at 6,000-17,000 pcs/y, corresponding to 1-6 tonnes/y of NiCd batteries, in 2003. No actual sales trends have been available for this study, but the independently quantified sales estimates for the early 1990's were similar (2-6 tonnes/y; Maag and Hansen, 1994). Requirements for emergency lighting have existed for many years and the sales is assumed to be relatively stable. New developments seem to indicate an increase in emergency light devices with central power supply with lead battery, but whether this means that the sales of NiCd powered devices are in the decrease is not known. A stable sale equal to the estimated 2003 sale is assumed for the whole period 1997-2002. Battery replacementBattery lifetime for this appliance is affected by the requirements for more frequent function tests in buildings open to the public. Lifetime estimates from suppliers for these devices vary, but indicate that the NiCd batteries on the devices may typically be changed 2-4 times during the device's lifetime (of about 10-20 years). The cells are individual NiCd cells typically supplied by the electricians performing the regular service. Suppliers estimate the number of existing self-supplying emergency light devices in Denmark at roughly 300,000-600,000 pcs. In case replacement of defective batteries were carried out ideally, the potential sales of extra NiCd battery cells for emergency lights could roughly be calculated to some 100,000-500,000 cells/y, yet the total consumption balance discussed in section 2.9.2 indicate that the battery replacement may be substantially lower, and accordingly, an annual consumption of some 50,000-150,000 battery cells for replacement in emergency lights is anticipated, corresponding to 3-10 tonnes/y of size C cells. 2.5 Other appliances for household and personal careThis commodity group covers shavers, beard trimmers, hair trimmers, electric toothbrushes, certain kitchen devices, and massage devices. NiCd-batteries were according to the major manufacturers on the market phased out in new products around 1996-1998. Drivsholm et al. (2000) performed detailed data collection on the issue and found that while substitution was ongoing in both 1996 and 1998, sales of NiCd batteries with these products continued through 1998. Table 2.8, section 2.9.1, show consumption data derived by Maag and Hansen (1994) and Drivsholm et al. (2000). Experts estimates for the period 1997-2002 are based on a quick decline after 1996 and a total phase out by 1999/2000, in compliance with the information given above. Lifetime data for this product group are considered as represented by data for shavers and trimmers, because these were the dominating uses in the category. See lifetime data in Appendix A (from Maag and Hansen, 1994). 2.6 Portable computer equipmentPortable computer equipment was originally equipped with NiCd batteries, but like for mobile phones, portable computers have been a driver behind the development or light weight batteries with high capacities. Portable computers were among the first product groups to be equipped with NiMH and later Li-ion batteries. Drivsholm et al. (2000) performed a detailed data collection on NiCd battery sales for portable computer equipment in 1996 and identified only minimal sales (1-2 tonnes/y), most likely dominated by extra batteries for older computer models. Table 2.8, section 2.9.1, show consumption data derived by Maag and Hansen (1994) and Drivsholm et al. (2000). Lifetime data for this product group are shown in Appendix A (from Maag and Hansen, 1994). 2.7 Video cameras and accessoriesVideo recorder equipment (VCR; camcorders) was originally equipped with NiCd battery packs. The same battery packs could be used on video-lamps of the same brands. No battery packs were supplied in the sales packages of the videolamps, but extra battery packs could be bought separately to be used with both camcorders and video-lights. According to web-traders of batteries, NiCd camcorder battery packs consist of 5 cells (6V). Drivsholm et al. (2000) performed a detailed data collection on NiCd battery sales with/for VCR equipment. Though a phase-out of NiCd batteries was ongoing in 1996, sales of NiCd batteries for this product group were still significant in 1996. In 1998, new camera models and more advanced high-end cameras seemed to be equipped with Li-ion of NiMH batteries. In 2004, only a few NiCd battery packs, out of very many, could be found in the (Web-displayed) assortments of copy-battery importers/retailers. This may indicate that there is still a minimal sale of NiCd batteries for old camcorder models. Table 2. 2.8, section 2.9.1, show consumption estimates for NiCd batteries with/for video recorder equipment. Data from 1985-1993 are from Maag and Hansen (1994) and data from 1996 are from Drivsholm et al. (2000). Data for the years 1994-1995 are interpolations. Data for the period 1997-2000 are expert estimates based on the information given above. Lifetime data for this product group are shown in Appendix A (from Maag and Hansen, 1994). 2.8 NiCd uses otherwise not accounted forThis section describes NiCd battery uses for which only few data are available and which has not been accounted for elsewhere in the report. Examples of available consumption data are given for replacement batteries, technical measuring equipment, and "NiCd batteries in other electronic appliances". These example data have however not been used in the calculations of the NiCd collection potential. Instead, the consumption numbers used are based on total NiCd consumption balances as shown in section 2.9. Being "difference to balance" numbers, the consumption numbers for this category may also compensate for underestimation or overestimation of the consumption for any specified use described in this report. As such, they may take negative values as a result of overestimation of consumption of individually quantified uses in some years. Being and unspecified group, the lifetime of NiCd's is considered as the lifetime shown for "other uses" in Appendix A. 2.8.1 Replacement batteries (individual cells for consumer use)Cells imported individually are used for industrial mounting in other products (so-called OEM sales; original equipment manufacturing), for replacing spent batteries by maintenance of existing equipment (such as emergency lights), and for various uses where it replaces the use of primary batteries, for example consumer electronics, torches or measuring equipment; so-called replacement batteries. Distributing the sales of individual NiCd cells on replacement, maintenance and OEM requires very detailed datasets and has not been attempted for this assessment. A separate quantification of NiCd replacement sales was however presented by Maag and Hansen (1994) based on detailed data sets provided by battery manufacturers. The resulting data for the period 1985-1993 are presented in table 2.8. Based on information from Drivsholm et al. (2000) and own later observations, consumer sales of replacement batteries have to a large extend been substituted by NiMH cells, which are the rechargeable replacement cells commonly seen in super markets etc. in Denmark today. Drivsholm et al. (2000) estimated the NiCd "replacement sales roughly at 9-18 tonnes/y. Based on these observations, NiCd replacement sales would be assumed to have decreased significantly since 1993. There may possibly still be a certain sale for use in technical equipment for measuring or medical purposes. This has not been sought confirmed in the data collection. 2.8.2 Technical measuring equipmentThis is a complex group consisting of very different product types used in hospitals, laboratory equipment etc. Like for other advanced technical equipment, technical measuring equipment may very possibly be dominated by other battery types than NiCd today (open or sealed lead batteries, NiMH, Li-ion or primary batteries). No resources were invested in collecting updated data on NiCd use in this product group. An annual NiCd consumption between the 1996 interval maximum - 40,000 pcs/y corresponding to 8 tonnes/y (Drivsholm et al., 2000) - and zero is assumed for the period 1997-2002. 2.8.3 NiCd batteries in other electronic appliancesDrivsholm et al. (2000) cite Richter et al. (1997) for NiCd-battery contents at 0.55% (weight/weight) in investigated electronic print cards, mostly for equipment for process control, laboratory instruments and medical electronics. With an estimated national consumption of about 3,560 tons of equipped print cards in Denmark, this should correspond to a consumption of about 20 tonnes/y NiCd batteries for this product group. Besides actual power supply for some equipment (as described in this report), the only other purpose of NiCd batteries in such equipment could be back-up memory. But already for the 1993/1994 situation, high performance primary batteries were used for back-up memory functions in most electronic equipment (Maag and Hansen, 1994). Based on these considerations, a NiCd consumption of 20 tonnes/y for such other electronic uses seems to be a high end estimate, and the consumption could as well be close to zero in 2004 for other uses than those covered in other sections of this report. 2.8.4 Solar-powered garden lampsA new product that is sometimes equipped with NiCd batteries is solar-powered garden lamps, signs etc. Many of these lamps may be NiMH-powered, but NICd-powered lamps have been observed on the Danish market. According to information from retailers, this product was introduced - or at least only gained substantial sales - in 2003 (after the period covered by this assessment), and no quantitative data have been collected for this product. According to own observations, these products may be equipped with 2-3 small cylindrical batteries (size AAA cells seen in 3 products). Out of the 3 products seen, only one was marked as containing NiCd batteries (in the assembly instructions), the other were containing NiMH batteries according to information from importers. 2 size AAA NiCd batteries would weigh about 20 g in total (see table 1.1). This means that even at sales of 250,000 NiCd-equipped lamps per year (1 NiCd lamp for every 20 inhabitants in Denmark), the total NiCd consumption would be only 5 tonnes/y in 2003. 2.9 Consumption summary2.9.1 Individually quantified usesAn overview of the consumption of NiCd batter over time and distributed on uses is given in table 2.8. The same data are shown in figure 2.2. For the background of the individual data, please see the respective sections of the report. Note that the category "other uses" reflects rough estimates for the period 1985-1993, as derived by Maag and Hansen (1994), interpolations for the period 1994-1996, and balances versus tax-derived NiCd consumption totals for the years 1997-2002, as described in section 2.9.2. 2.9.2 Balance versus tax revenue dataIn order to estimate the collection potential for NiCd batteries by the methodology used in this assessment, the consumption of individual uses over the years of interest must be estimated. This is because consumption data for the individual use is combined with lifetime data for that same use to calculate the tonnage of defective batteries in a given year. Un-distributed data on total consumption of NiCd batteries, such as can be estimated from the national NiCd revenues of the Danish NiCd tax, are not (alone) sufficient for this purpose. They can however serve as a basis for performing a rough cross-check of the sum of the individually quantified NiCd uses. NICd tax revenues do not include eventual illegal NiCd sales for which tax was not paid as set out in the legislation. NiCd tax revenuesThe tax revenue registrations are grouped as shown in table 2.9 along with the revenues in DKK in each group in the years 1997-2002 (Told&Skat, 2004). As shown in table 2.9, tax rates are split on 1) cells sold individually, 2) battery packs where cells are build together, and 3) cells inside other products (probably meant for build-in NiCd battery units such as in some dustbusters, toothbrushes and older power tools). The refunding category reflects taxes which have been re-paid to the original tax-payers, because the battery amounts in question have been re-exported. Table 2-9 Revenues of the Danish NiCd tax in DKK in the years 1997-2002, grouped according to registrations made to the national tax agency (Told&Skat, 2004).
Estimating NiCd cell consumption from tax revenuesThe NiCd tax revenue data are not registered in sufficiently detailed groups to allow very precise cross-checks and balances versus the individual consumption estimates in tonnes/y. The main problem in translating tax revenues to battery numbers or tonnage are, that the refunded taxes are not distributed on the input groups. One way is estimating the total cell numbers irrespectively of whether cells are individual, build together or incorporated in other products. This can be done by applying the assumption that all battery packs or incorporated battery units are made from 6 cells or more. As such, all cells are calculated as having the tax value of 6 DKK/pcs. Under this assumption, refunding can be subtracted DKK by DKK, and estimates of the total registered sales of NiCd cells in Denmark can be made. As battery packs and build-in battery units in some products consist of less that 6 cells per product, this assumption will lead to an overestimation of the total NiCd cell numbers registered; the overestimation is however deemed minor because power tools with much more than 6 cells per tool have represented by far the largest consumption of NiCd cells in the period 1997-2002. Table 2.10 presents NiCd cell number estimates in cells per year in the different tax registration groups based on the approach described above. Note that due to the refunding, only the totals for each year represent estimates of the actual consumption in Denmark. Table 2-10 total consumption estimates for NiCd cells in Denmark in the years 1997-2002, based on tax revenue data; cells/y.
Comparing with product-based NiCd consumption estimatesFor this assessment, only some of the individual NiCd uses have been quantified based on cell number calculations (for example power tools). For other uses, the consumption have been quantified directly on a tonnes/y basis, making use of extrapolations and expert estimates based on semi-quantitative information (see respective sections). For these products, consumption estimates in tonnes must be converted to approximate cell numbers. Table 2.11 presents estimated cell consumption (means of estimate intervals) for all individually quantified NiCd uses, and the main data used in the conversion. The table also show the calculated balance, that is, the difference between the NiCd cell consumption estimated from tax revenue data and the cell consumption estimated from data on the individual NiCd uses. The balance has been used to cross-check the product-based consumption estimates, and for some of the quantifications with relatively high associated uncertainties, the balance has been used to adjust the individual estimates (mobile phones, PMR radio, replacement batteries for emergency lights). For the remaining imbalance, this has been in-calculated as "NiCd uses not otherwise accounted for" (see section 2.8). As shown, the sum of the individually quantified consumption estimates balance well with the tax-derived total consumption estimates. In the light of the above mentioned slight overestimation of total cell numbers derived from tax revenue data, this indicates that the consumption of some of the individually quantified uses may be slightly overestimated. As power tools, which have been rather precisely quantified through both approaches, represented about 35% of the cell consumption in 1997 gradually rising to close to 100% in 2002, and the other major use - NiCd-powered mobile phones - applied 5-6 cells per battery pack, the potential overestimation of cell numbers is however considered as minor. Table 2-11 Individually quantified product consumption data converted to approximate cell numbers and balance versus tax-derived total cell consumption; cells/y.
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