China Antimony Energy Storage Battery

Can antimony be used in next-generation batteries?

While lead-acid battery usage is expected to decline as electric motors take the place of ICE engines in the vehicles traveling global highways, antimony is finding its way into new applications in next-generation batteries that can efficiently store electricity at the grid scale.

Where is antimony used today?

"Today, antimony is used in lead-acid storage batteries for backup power and transportation; in chemicals, ceramics, and glass; in flame-retardant materials; and in heat stabilizers and plastics," according to the USGS.

Why is antimony important?

An unsung war hero that saved countless American troops during World War II, an overlooked battery material that has played a pivotal role in storing electricity for more than 100 years, and a major ingredient in futuristic grid-scale energy storage, antimony is among the most important critical metalloids that most people have never heard of.

Is antimony a fire resistant metal?

Many of North America's richest gold districts also host healthy amounts of antimony, but the latter fire-resistant energy metal is often discarded in favor of the more valuable precious metal. This dynamic, however, reversed at gold mines in Idaho and Alaska when antimony's strategic value increased during the World Wars.

Where does American antimony come from?

The balance of American supply comes from recycling and refining concentrates imported from Italy, China, India, and Mexico. "China continued to be the leading global antimony producer in 2020 and accounted for more than 52% of global mine production," USGS inked in its 2021 Mineral Commodity Summaries report.

Does antimony save lives?

Over the eight decades since the end of World War II, antimony continues to save innumerable lives – from soldiers in the field to babies in the nursery – by lending its flame-resistant properties to mattresses, toys, electronic devices, aircraft, and automobile seat covers.