Panasonic is planning to spend Y100 billion ($1billion+ depending on the yen rate) to develop eco-friendly energy technologies like rechargeable batteries and solar cells.

This plan is in align with the company’s desire to acquire Sanyo Electric for a sum close to $9 billion.

Sanyo’s strength is in rechargeable batteries (leader in Li-ion batteries) and solar cells (ranks 7th), which Panasonic considers as strategic areas.

“We needed to take drastic measures to secure growth amid a global economic downturn and structural changes in the electronics industry,” said Panasonic’s President, Fumio Ohtsubo.

When the two are combined it will create a giant manufacturer more competitive to ride out a worsening global downturn, with consolidated sales of more than 10 trillion yen, equal to Japan’s No 1 electronics and electrical machinery maker – Hitachi Ltd.

The Panasonic/Sanyo duo will also make for a powerful force in developing eco-friendly technologies, too.

Source: Nikkei (sub req)

If you're new here and you like our articles, how about subscribing free for our updates via RSS feed.

Toyota Motor Corp is so far out in front of the pack when it comes to fuel-efficiency, that objects in the mirror really are smaller than they appear.

The company has set the standard for hybrid cars and the use of lithium-ion batteries but it’s not enough because they have a plan to launch a plug-in hybrid car with lithium-ion batteries within the next two years, which will far “outpeform” current lithium-ion batteries. The next-generation battery will be ready for commercial use by 2030.

A new research team created by Toyota will start with 50 engineers and double in size in about two years. Full scale production of lithium-ion batteries will start up next year and go full hybrid steam ahead by 2010.

Toyota is working in cahoots with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, which makes Panasonic brand products. Remember that 13,000-hour light bulb? And, who said Japan cannot be a leader on the world stage?

Image by aminorjourney

How long is 13,000 hours? 541 days is the answer. One year and a half. That’s how long we can leave a Pa-Look Ball Premium Q (quick) compact fluorescent light bulb on, before it burns out. It’s the industry’s first “hybrid lighting method”, meaning it has instant brightness.

The bulb is an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly choice for homes and companies. Until now, the big drawback was how long it took for them to brighten up completely. No more!

“Panasonic said it has successfully developed the “hybrid lighting method” by installing a newly-developed compact “quick lamp” in the center of the spiral arc tube structure inside the pear-shaped Premium Q fluorescent light capsules. The “quick lamp” allows the bulb to obtain 60% of full brightness within the first second after it is turned on, which is 50% faster than current Pa-Look Ball Premium bulbs and stands as the industry’s quickest ramp-up time. ” – JapanToday

The bulb also has a built in timer that turns off the quick lamp once there is enough brightness. With a consumption of just 10 watts, the bulb produces the equivalent of 54-watt incandescent bulbs, cutting electric bills and CO2 emissions by 80%.

Yeah, and it can be switched on and off 40,000 times before it will say, “Will you stop doing that!?”