Japan. Sony Corporation announced in mid-June that it has developed a mercury-free button-type alkaline battery (LR) and plans to market six models of this product that will help in the care of the environment.In conventional button-type batteries, mercury was added to the anode material to prevent the formation of hydrogen gas. The alkaline battery developed by Sony incorporates a patented technology that combines for the first time absorbent raw materials in the cathode for hydrogen gas, eliminating the use of mercury for this purpose.
Sales of Sony's button-type alkaline batteries and button-type silver oxide (SR) batteries total approximately $300 a year. With this new advance there will be a reduction of approximately 470 Kg and approximately 68 bottles of mercury per year. When not disposed of properly, mercury can infiltrate the food chain, causing serious damage to the human body and environment.
