Silver Oxide Batteries (SR Batteries)

A superior SR battery product has been created through the use of the properties of gold. Hitachi Maxell has harnessed its unique technologies to achieve very rapid zero use of mercury and lead in all its commercial products. Hitachi Maxell is making every effort to create eco-friendly products through the elimination or careful control of chemical substances which are harmful to the environment.

*1

CO2 emissions at all stages from materials to production total 3.39g for each LR626 and 3.25g for each SR626. Taking into account the fact that SR batteries last twice as long as LR batteries, 3.39(g) × 2 (batteries) - 3.25(g) = 3.53(g).

(Updated in September 2009)

Gold Coating is a Symbol of High Quality

Realizing Zero Use of Mercury and Lead

Conventional Silver Oxide Batteries used very small amounts of lead and mercury*2, considered to be harmful to our health, in order to prevent the generation of gases caused by corrosion inside the battery. We most definitely do not want to be in contact with these harmful substances in our daily lives.
Hitachi Maxell is one of the first companies to develop a corrosion-resistant zinc alloy as an alternative to these harmful substances, as a part of its efforts to manufacture eco-friendly products. The use of this unique technology has enabled the prevention of corrosion inside the battery without the use of any mercury or lead. These efforts continue the move towards the elimination or reduction of harmful substances and the minimization of environmental impacts.

*2

In July 2006 the European Union established restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (the RoHS Directive). The substances in question are lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, mercury, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ether.

Longer-Lasting Silver Oxide Batteries Minimize Environmental Impacts

Hitachi Maxell' s Silver Oxide Batteries are designed with the reduction of environmental impacts in mind. These Silver Oxide Batteries are identical in both shape and voltage to the alkaline button batteries (LR button batteries) they replace for use in devices such as calculators, electronic thermometers, and so on. One major difference is the fact that Silver Oxide Batteries last twice as long as LR button batteries *3, making them perfect for providing stable power over a long span of time.
Reducing the frequency with which the batteries have to be replaced means less waste and a smaller impact on the environment. At the same time, the total CO2 emissions from the component materials and production of the interchangeable SR and LR button batteries are almost the same*4. From an environmental perspective, since Maxell Silver Oxide Batteries last twice as long, they are obviously the better choice.

*3

10 ohms to 0.9 volts (comparison of Maxell SR44 and LR44)

*4

CO2 emissions at all stages from materials to production total 3.39g for each LR626 and 3.25g for each SR626

• * All figures in the graph are from research by Hitachi Maxell

Under this concept, the Hitachi Group views the Silver Oxide Batteries as one of the ways of achieving our Environmental Vision 2025, with its goal of helping to reduce CO2 emissions by 100 million tons annually by 2025.

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