What VARTA Microbattery does

VARTA Microbattery GmbH is a German manufacturer of lithium-based micro-batteries and coin cells, headquartered in Ellwangen, Germany, operating as a subsidiary of VARTA AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange ticker: VAR1). Founded in 2001 and employing 1,001–5,000 people, the company specializes in miniaturized battery solutions for industrial OEMs across IoT devices, medical applications (glucose sensors, portable diagnostics), automotive smart key fobs, automated guided vehicles, and safety-critical/defence systems. Its core product lines include the CoinPower A5 lithium-ion coin cell generation (delivering up to 15% more capacity than prior generations), Application Specific Batteries (ASB) for industrial transport systems, and consumer energy storage products integrated with home automation platforms.

The company operates a direct B2B sales motion targeting industrial OEMs through project-based custom battery engagements, with pricing not publicly disclosed. VARTA is recognized as one of the top five global players in the coin cell market alongside Panasonic, Murata, Energizer, and EVE Energy, collectively holding roughly 50% market share in a global market projected to grow from approximately US$5.2B (2025) to US$8B by 2032 at a 6.3% CAGR. The company is specifically identified as market leading in hearing aid batteries, with ongoing ISO/EN/AS 9100 certification pursued to qualify for defence and other safety-critical applications.

In July 2026, both VARTA AG and its subsidiary VARTA Microbattery filed for insolvency, transitioning from self-administered restructuring to classic insolvency proceedings. Lawyer Tobias Wahl was appointed as insolvency administrator, and CEO Michael Ostermann remained with the company but with largely reduced decision-making authority. The insolvency filing reflects significant financial distress at the parent level that has directly impacted the Microbattery subsidiary, and ongoing operations continue under insolvency administration.

Name

VARTA Microbattery

Legal name

VARTA AG

Website

https://varta-microbattery.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

VARTA Microbattery GmbH, a German subsidiary of VARTA AG, manufactures lithium-based micro-batteries and CoinPower coin cells for IoT, medical, automotive, and industrial OEMs. It is a top-five global coin cell player and market leader in hearing aid batteries, currently operating under insolvency administration filed in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microbatteries

NAICS

Battery Manufacturing (33591)

akta.pro primary industry

Cell Manufacturing (Cylindrical, Prismatic, Pouch) (EUAFABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Battery Modules & Packs (Industrial/Commercial pack assembly) (IMAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Lithium coin cells
• Microbattery solutions
• IoT battery solutions
• Medical device batteries
• Automotive smart key batteries

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellwangen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Microbattery Sales: Sale of coin cell batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and application-specific battery packs to industrial customers in IoT, medical, automotive, and consumer electronics sectors

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

VARTA Microbattery manufactures and sells rechargeable lithium-ion coin cells (CoinPower A5) and miniature microbatteries for industrial applications. The portfolio covers IoT device power, medical device batteries (glucose sensors, monitoring equipment), automotive smart key fob batteries, and Application Specific Battery (ASB) packs for automated guided vehicles and small/medium transport systems.

Product overview

VARTA Microbattery offers a portfolio of miniature and lithium-ion battery solutions centered around its CoinPower technology and Application Specific Batteries. The core offerings include the CoinPower A5 lithium coin cell line delivering up to 15% more capacity for smart applications, Microbatteries for IoT devices, and ASB (Application Specific Batteries) for Automated Guided Vehicles. The company provides specialized solutions for medical applications and smart keys, alongside consumer energy storage products. The product range is built on miniaturization, mobility, and 100% reliability principles to power future applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VARTA CoinPower A5 Lithium-ion coin cell batteries providing reliable power for smart applications with up to 15% more capacity compared to previous generations, designed for IoT devices, smart keys, and other miniaturized electronic applications. Targeted at industrial OEMs.
• VARTA Microbatteries for IoT Miniature batteries designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, enabling smart devices with reliable and compact energy solutions for independent living and smart applications. Targeted at IoT device manufacturers.
• Application Specific Batteries (ASB) Instantly available lithium battery packs designed for smaller and medium transport systems, including Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). Targeted at industrial automation OEMs.
• Smart Key Solutions Reliable power solutions for automotive smart key fobs and remote keyless entry systems, empowered by VARTA CoinPower technology ensuring power everywhere at any time. Targeted at automotive OEMs and smart key manufacturers.
• Medical Energy Solutions Energy solutions for medical applications including glucose sensors and other healthcare monitoring devices, providing reliable power for critical medical applications. Targeted at medical device manufacturers and healthcare OEMs.
• VARTA Energiespeicher Energy storage systems for residential use, designed to work with home automation systems like Loxone for energy savings and management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 15% more capacity compared to previous CoinPower generation

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Apple (as European Supplier Ecosystem)minorOthersVARTA Microbattery operates within the broader European supplier ecosystem serving major technology companies. While not directly named as an Apple supplier, the company benefits from the overall European supplier network that includes companies like Infineon (Germany) and TRUMPF serving Apple. The news about Apple's €85 billion European supplier spending over 5 years indicates the scale of opportunity in the European technology supply chain.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Renata SA: Renata is a Swiss manufacturer of coin cells and microbatteries, supplying hearing aids, watches, and IoT devices — directly comparable to VARTA in form factor and customer segments.
• Panasonic Energy: Panasonic is one of the top-5 coin cell battery manufacturers globally alongside VARTA, producing lithium and primary coin cells for IoT, automotive, and consumer applications. Direct product overlap in the same form factor and end markets.
• Murata Manufacturing: Murata is a leading Japanese manufacturer of coin cell lithium batteries (CR-series), serving the same IoT, medical, and automotive key-fob sockets as VARTA. Closest direct competitor in microbattery form factors.
• Energizer Holdings (Rayovac): Energizer's Rayovac brand is explicitly named as a top-5 coin cell peer holding combined ~50% market share with VARTA. Direct overlap in primary and rechargeable coin cells for hearing aids and consumer electronics.
• EVE Energy: EVE Energy is one of the top-5 global coin cell manufacturers identified in VARTA's competitive set. Strong direct overlap in lithium primary coin cells with growing share in IoT and metering applications.
• Maxell: Maxell is a Japanese manufacturer of coin cell and microbattery solutions serving industrial, automotive, and consumer markets. Comparable in form factor, technology, and customer base to VARTA Microbattery.

Emerging players

• Seiko Instruments (SII) Micro-Energy: SII Micro-Energy division specialises in micro lithium-ion and rechargeable coin cells for wearables, IoT, and medical devices. Smaller-scale but directly competing in miniaturised battery niches targeted by VARTA.
• Tadiran Batteries: Tadiran specialises in lithium primary cells including coin cells and bobbin cells for IoT, metering, and industrial sensor networks. Overlaps with VARTA's IoT microbattery offering with deeper specialisation in long-life primary chemistries.

Broad incumbents

• Duracell: Duracell is a broad incumbent in primary batteries including coin cells and hearing-aid batteries, with overlapping channels and customers. Broader portfolio than VARTA's microbattery focus but a meaningful competitor in retail and OEM coin cell sockets.

Others

• EaglePicher Technologies: EaglePicher manufactures specialty batteries including lithium-ion cells for defence, aerospace, and medical applications — adjacent to VARTA's emerging safety-critical / defence microbattery push and an acquirer/integrator for that segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vartamicrobatterypps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sc-varta-microbattery-srl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VARTA Microbattery