A housing for a battery comprising a laminate made of a plurality of layers is provided. The battery housing has at least a barrier layer, typically two metal foils, and a sealing layer, which is intended to be in contact with the contents of a battery. Additionally, the battery housing can further include a protective layer over the barrier layer. Suitable materials for the sealant layer and barrier layers include polymers. Preferably, the laminate battery housing is flexible, although this is not required. The sealant layer, barrier layer and protective layer may also be adhesively attached. The battery housing of the present invention can also provide moisture and acid absorbers in various configurations.