The market of conventional type high-capacity capacitors, in spite of an issue of low energy density, has been steadily expanding, having been differentiated from the rechargeable batteries with the durability and superior charge and discharge capabilities, by developing new demand applications in automobile, OA equipment, transportation machinery and voltage sag protection systems for precision equipment manufacturing lines and systems.

Although the market has suffered sluggish growth in fiscal 2008 due to the negative impacts of the economic recession started in the second half, with the market size being 3,055 million yen for the fiscal year, the market is expected to turn into an expanding trend again in the latter half of fiscal 2009, with the market size reaching to 3,515 million yen for fiscal 2009, and to 4,345 million yen in fiscal 2010.

The energy density of lithium ion capacitor (LiC) is extremely higher than conventional capacitors. In the domestic Japanese market, 8 LiC manufacturers are planning to enter into the market, and their mass production facilities are expected to become ready in the near future. The commercialization of lithium ion capacitor by those manufacturers introduced into the market one after another in fiscal 2008, and their investment plans for mass production facilities are noteworthy for attention.

LiC manufacturers are looking for the demand for automobile idling-stop systems, although there appears no specific activity on the part of automakers yet. There are many people who are placing their hope in the capacitors including the conventional types for the storage of regenerated electric power or momentary supply of electric power as well.

In the meantime, the features of LiC which may be positioned between the conventional capacitors and lithium ion rechargeable batteries, such as the high durability and superior charging and discharging capabilities have not been assessed and confirmed by the users yet. These issues, including the features of LiC and conventional capacitors for specific applications, as well as the pricing will need to be reviewed in the future.

At the manufacturers of capacitor materials as well, while commercialization of new technologies are observed, such as alkali activation of activated carbon, new electrolytic solutions, ionic liquid and resin based separator, technological performances and price competitiveness are called into question.

High-capacity capacitor manufacturers and raw material manufacturers are looking for automotive applications. In fiscal 2009, although the commercialization of EV (Electric Vehicle) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is expected, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries will be used as the main power source for these applications, and there appears to be no application demand for high-capacity capacitors at the moment. The high-capacity, especially LiC manufacturers are placing emphasis on the demand for automobile idling-stop functions. As European automakers, as well as the domestic automakers, are positively working on the development of this system, the demand is expected to become actual as early as 2012 or 2013.

For automotive applications, in addition to the above, the adoption of high-capacity capacitor will become active for the applications such as auxiliary or back up power source for By-Wire systems. Although the number of automakers and vehicle models will be limited at the beginning, the demand is expected to expand gradually into the other automakers and vehicle models.

The use of high-capacity capacitor is also expected for the leveling of natural energy power generation output, such as solar and wind power generation, which varies depending on the weather conditions. At the beginning, the demand will be created in foreign countries where people are positively working on the power generation by natural powers. However, as verification tests are being implemented in the domestic market as well, the demand for high-capacity capacitors in this market segment is expected to become real, sooner or later in Japan as well.

In addition, the adoption of high-capacity capacitor can be expected for the existing application demands such as voltage sag systems and UPS for the industrial machines and equipment. Further, the commercialization and popularization of high-capacity capacitor is expected for the storage of regenerated energy on the railway systems.