Nanfu
A leading Chinese household-battery brand best known for alkaline batteries.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
Nanfu is a Chinese consumer-battery brand based in Nanping, Fujian Province. It is best known for alkaline cylindrical batteries sold for everyday household uses, including remote controls, toys, clocks, flashlights, radios and other low- to medium-drain devices. The brand is commonly associated with the Chinese name Nanfu Battery and has built its position through broad retail distribution, mass-market pricing, product visibility and emphasis on battery longevity. The brand emerged from the development of battery manufacturing in Nanping and became one of the most recognizable domestic battery names in China. Its core business has historically centered on disposable alkaline batteries in common cylindrical formats such as AA and AAA, while its portfolio has also included zinc-carbon batteries, rechargeable batteries, button cells and other related power products. Product availability and exact assortment have varied by channel and period. Nanfu's most recognizable product identity is the alkaline battery marketed with the distinctive "聚能环" positioning, commonly rendered in English as the Power Ring concept. The branding communicates extended usable life and energy retention rather than a specialist or industrial application. Nanfu has therefore occupied the accessible, dependable household-battery segment: more premium and performance-oriented than a basic unbranded cell, but intended for mass household purchase rather than narrowly defined professional use. The company and brand have undergone significant ownership changes. Nanfu became associated with Gillette, whose battery operations were later integrated into Procter & Gamble after Gillette's acquisition. Following Procter & Gamble's separation of its battery business, the Duracell business, including its association with Nanfu, moved to Berkshire Hathaway. Nanfu nevertheless retains a distinct Chinese-market identity rather than simply functioning as a translated Duracell label. In China, the brand competes in a crowded market that includes international battery companies, domestic manufacturers, retailer brands and low-cost alternatives. Its competitive assets are brand recognition, distribution reach, familiarity among consumers and a strong association with alkaline cells. Nanfu also participates in adjacent categories such as rechargeable and specialty batteries, although alkaline household batteries remain the clearest center of its public identity. The brand is active and primarily oriented toward the Chinese market; detailed current corporate, financial and executive information is not established in the supplied material.
History
Nanfu developed in Nanping, Fujian, a city with a long connection to battery manufacturing in China. The business was established in 1988 and gradually developed from a domestic battery manufacturer into one of China's most recognizable consumer-battery brands. Its growth was supported by the expansion of modern retail and household electrical products, which increased demand for reliable primary batteries used in toys, clocks, remote controls, flashlights and other portable devices. The brand's strongest public identity formed around alkaline batteries. Compared with older zinc-carbon cells, alkaline technology offered consumers longer service life and more dependable performance in many everyday applications. Nanfu used this category to build a clear consumer proposition around endurance and value. Its packaging and advertising emphasized the Power Ring, or “聚能环,” concept, which became a distinctive part of the brand's identity and helped separate Nanfu from generic battery products. Nanfu's corporate history became internationalized at the end of the 1990s. In 1999, the company became associated with Gillette's battery business. Gillette already had a substantial global battery presence, and this relationship gave Nanfu access to international corporate resources while leaving the brand with a recognizable Chinese name and local-market role. When Procter & Gamble acquired Gillette in 2005, the battery operations connected with Gillette became part of Procter & Gamble's portfolio. The next major ownership transition followed Procter & Gamble's decision to separate Duracell. Berkshire Hathaway acquired the Duracell business from Procter & Gamble in the mid-2010s, with the transfer completed in 2016. Nanfu has since been identified with the Duracell group or ownership structure. These transactions changed the corporate context around the brand but did not erase its distinct position in China, where consumers continued to encounter Nanfu as a domestic-facing battery name. Over time, the portfolio expanded beyond its best-known alkaline cells. Nanfu has been associated with zinc-carbon products, rechargeable batteries, button or coin cells and other household battery formats. The exact assortment has depended on product generation, channel and market availability. Alkaline AA and AAA batteries remain the most visible expression of the brand, particularly for household devices that require replaceable cylindrical cells. Nanfu operates in a competitive category with international brands, Chinese manufacturers and private-label products. The brand's durable advantages are recognition, distribution, familiarity and a clear promise of everyday battery life. It is not principally positioned as an industrial power supplier or a specialized energy-storage company. Instead, Nanfu's historical importance lies in making branded alkaline batteries a familiar consumer product in China and in maintaining that identity through multiple changes in corporate ownership.
- 2016
Duracell moves to Berkshire Hathaway
[2]Berkshire Hathaway completes the acquisition of Duracell from Procter & Gamble, establishing the later corporate context for Nanfu.
- 2005
Gillette is acquired by Procter & Gamble
[1]Procter & Gamble's acquisition of Gillette places the related battery operations within Procter & Gamble.
- 1999
Association with Gillette
[1]Nanfu becomes associated with Gillette's battery business, linking the Chinese brand to a major international battery group.
- 1988
Nanfu is established
[1]Nanfu's battery business is established in Nanping, Fujian, laying the foundation for a major Chinese household-battery brand.
Products and positioning
Mass-market household power with a strong emphasis on dependable alkaline-battery life, broad availability and Chinese brand recognition.
Primary batteries
Alkaline batteries
Nanfu's best-known product family consists of disposable alkaline batteries for everyday household devices. Common cylindrical sizes such as AA and AAA are used in remote controls, toys, clocks, flashlights and similar equipment. The range is positioned around dependable service life and convenient retail availability.
Branded alkaline batteries
Power Ring alkaline batteries
The Power Ring, or “聚能环,” is Nanfu's signature alkaline-battery branding. It represents the brand's central consumer promise of sustained energy and has been used to make Nanfu products visually and verbally distinctive in the Chinese household-battery market.
Secondary batteries
Rechargeable batteries
Nanfu has also offered rechargeable battery products for consumers who repeatedly use compatible devices. These products extend the brand beyond single-use alkaline cells, although public recognition of Nanfu remains strongest in disposable household batteries.
Specialty batteries
Button and coin batteries
The brand has been associated with smaller specialty battery formats, including button or coin cells. Such batteries serve compact devices and accessories, though product availability and specific chemistries can vary by market and product line.
Controversies
2020
Nanfu power bank fails overcharge test in national spot check
National supervisory spot check materials published in January 2020 showed that a Nanfu power bank failed the overcharge test item in a 2019 spot check. This entry is limited to the inspected product and batch and does not concern all Nanfu battery products.
Brand decisions
2016
Duracell is transferred to Berkshire HathawayM&ABackground
Procter & Gamble separated its Duracell battery business as part of its portfolio strategy.
Action taken
Berkshire Hathaway acquired Duracell from Procter & Gamble.
Aftermath
Nanfu became associated with the Duracell business under Berkshire Hathaway ownership.
2005
Gillette is acquired by Procter & GambleM&ABackground
Procter & Gamble acquired Gillette and its portfolio of businesses.
Action taken
The associated battery operations, including the Nanfu relationship, moved into Procter & Gamble's corporate portfolio.
Aftermath
Nanfu remained a distinct consumer brand in China while operating within a larger multinational ownership context.
1999
Nanfu joins the Gillette battery structureM&ABackground
Nanfu had developed into a significant Chinese battery brand, while Gillette operated an international battery business.
Action taken
Nanfu became associated with Gillette's battery operations.
Aftermath
The transaction gave the brand an international corporate connection while Nanfu continued to operate under its established Chinese name.
Recent events
- 2016
Duracell business transferred to Berkshire Hathaway[2]
M&A
Procter & Gamble separated its Duracell battery business and transferred it to Berkshire Hathaway. Nanfu has subsequently been associated with the Duracell ownership structure.
- 2005
Gillette battery operations move into Procter & Gamble[1]
M&A
The acquisition of Gillette by Procter & Gamble placed the associated battery operations, including the Nanfu business relationship, within Procter & Gamble's corporate portfolio.
- 1999
Nanfu becomes associated with Gillette's battery business[1]
M&A
Nanfu entered the ownership structure associated with Gillette's battery operations, beginning a succession of international ownership changes while preserving its Chinese-market brand identity.
Sources5 sources
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