Under the dual carbon goals, energy conservation and emission reduction, and the development of clean energy are the inevitable requirements and transformation direction of China’s energy strategy. In addition, the price of lithium carbonate is high, and the upstream cost has risen sharply in the short term to further compress the profit margins of the midstream and downstream.
It is imminent to find alternative materials, which has accelerated the research and layout of enterprises on the industrialization of sodium ion battery. This article summarizes the development progress and capacity planning of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world for reference.
Comparison of sodium ion battery vs lithium ion battery
The essence of sodium-ion batteries is that sodium ions are intercalated and extracted between the cathode and anode to achieve charge transfer during the charging and discharging process, which is similar to the working principle of lithium-ion batteries. Compared with lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have significant advantages because they have no obvious resource constraints and lower investment costs:
● High cost-effective
The accessories of sodium-ion batteries are correspondingly cheaper than lithium-ion batteries. In addition, sodium compounds can be used as electrode materials, which is also an important direction for cost reduction. Sodium salt raw materials are rich in reserves and low in price. Compared with ternary lithium battery cathode materials using iron-manganese-nickel-based cathode materials, the cost of raw materials is reduced by half.
● Sodium-ion batteries have no overdischarge characteristics
Since the sodium-ion battery has no over-discharge characteristics, it is allowed to discharge the sodium-ion battery to zero volts. The energy density of sodium-ion batteries is greater than 100Wh/kg, which is comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries, but its cost advantage is obvious, and it is expected to replace traditional lead-acid batteries in large-scale energy storage.
Top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world
CATL
Total market value: 1300.844 billion RMB Company website: https://www.catl.com/
CATL is a world-leading new energy innovation technology company and CATL is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, focusing on the R&D, production and sales of new energy vehicle power battery systems and energy storage systems. Its core technologies include R&D and manufacturing capabilities of the entire industry chain in the fields of power and energy storage batteries, materials, cells, battery systems, battery recycling and secondary utilization.
CATL sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: square case; Cathode materials: Prussian blue, layered metal oxides; Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
The first-generation sodium-ion battery will be released on July 29, 2021, and the energy density of a single battery cell will reach 160Wh/kg. Charging at room temperature for 15 minutes, the power can reach more than 80%; in a low-temperature environment of -20°C, it has a discharge retention rate of more than 90%; the system integration efficiency can reach more than 80%.
The energy density of the second-generation sodium-ion battery cells will exceed 200Wh/kg, and the system energy density will reach 160Wh/kg.In 2023, the basic industrial chain of sodium-ion batteries will be formed, and the industrialization of sodium-ion batteries will be promoted in 2023; GWh-level shipments will be achieved in 2024.
Great Power
Total market value: 40.619 billion RMB Company website: http://www.greatpower.net
Great Power is a high-tech companies focusing on the production, manufacture and research and development of lithium-ion batteries for more than 20 years. The company’s business scope covers digital consumer batteries, new energy vehicle power batteries, energy storage batteries and light power batteries, power tool batteries and other fields.
Great Power sodium battery products:
Cathode material: polyanion, layered oxide; Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
The three teams of Great Power sodium-ion batteries are each responsible for a technical route. At present, the two batteries of polyanion and layered oxide have been verified and successfully sent to customers for sample application; Prussian white is not mature enough at present, and it is difficult to commercialize in the short term. The number of polyanion cycles can reach 3000-4000 times, and the energy density can reach about 100Wh/kg. In 2023, upstream materials and sodium batteries are expected to achieve mass production.
Pylontech
Total market value: 46.266 billion RMB Company website: http://www.pylontech.com.cn
Pylontech is one of the earliest manufacturers in China to start the commercial use of lithium battery energy storage systems, focusing on the application of lithium battery energy storage for more than 10 years. The company integrates the key links of the industrial chain, has a number of core patented technologies including lithium-ion battery manufacturing, BMS, EMS and system integration and other upstream and downstream key links, and can provide users with one-stop energy storage system solutions.
Among the sodium ion battery companies in the world, Pylontech’s first-generation sodium-ion battery product completed a small test. By the end of 2021, the company has formed an annual battery production capacity of 3GWh and a system production capacity of 3.5GWh. In June 2022, the company issued a fixed increase plan, planning to build a 10GWh battery and system integration production base in Hefei to help the company break through the production capacity bottleneck.
VEKEN
Total market value: 7.916 billion RMB Company website: http://www.veken-tech.com
VEKEN is mainly engaged in new energy lithium batteries, with 3C digital batteries and power batteries as its core business. The company is an industry-leading new energy technology-based enterprise integrating R&D, manufacturing, sales and service of lithium-ion batteries, and has the ability to integrate battery cell manufacturing, packaging and system integration solutions.
In top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, NATRIUM’s 1,000 sodium power pilot test line has been put into production, and a small amount of samples will be sent to strategic cooperation customers. Samples will be sent to the market in early December 2022. The pilot test line of 0.5GWH is expected to be completed in December. In 2023, the sodium battery will be shipped 0.8-1GWh, and it is expected to ship in the second half of 23, with a daily output of 8,000 batteries, a single battery of 20Ah and 80Ah, and a four-month schedule of 0.2GWh.
NATRIUM
Register capital: 14.117 million RMB Company website: http://natriumenergy.cn/
NATRIUM focuses on technological innovation and engineering of sodium-ion batteries, it is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, And it is guided by market demand to develop, produce and sell a new generation of power and energy storage battery systems for smart grid energy storage, electric vehicles, distributed energy storage, and chemical power sources for special purposes, providing green and sustainable energy solutions.
NATRIUM is planning a 1GWh cell production line. NATRIUM and VEKEN: 1,000 sodium battery pilot lines have been put into production; 2GWH sodium battery + lithium battery compatible line is expected to be put into production in June 23; batteries may be shipped in Q4 or the first half of 2023.
LiFUN
Register capital: 68.2568 million RMB Company website: http://www.lifuntech.com
Founded in 2013, LiFUN is the first sodium-ion battery company in Zhuzhou, Hunan, and it is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world. In April 2022, LiFUN released the first generation of sodium-ion batteries. The weight energy density of the soft-packed single cell of this product can reach 140Wh/Kg and 270wh/L volume energy density. Support fast charging for 15 minutes, SOC (state of charge) is greater than 80%.
In April 2022, the layered oxide will be pilot-tested ton-scale production; LiFUN will cooperate with Natron Energy to pilot the Prussian blue full battery. Realize mass production of sodium-ion batteries in 2023.
HiNa BATTERY
Register capital: 30.94995 million RMB Company website: https://www.hinabattery.com
HiNa BATTERY is a company specializing in the R&D and production of a new generation of energy storage systems – sodium-ion batteries. It has a number of core patents for sodium-ion batteries, and is one of the few sodium ion battery companies in the world that has core patents and technologies for sodium-ion batteries.
HiNa BATTERY sodium battery products:
Sodium batteries: soft pack, cylindrical and aluminum case batteries; Cathode material: layered oxide; Anode material: anthracite
Production capacity planning:
HiNa BATTERY established the first 30kW/100kWh sodium-ion battery energy storage station in 2019; on June 28, 2021, the world’s first 1MWh sodium-ion battery light storage and charging smart microgrid system was put into operation. The world’s first large-scale production line of sodium-ion batteries is mass-produced, with a planned production capacity of 5GWh, which will be constructed in two phases. The first phase of 1GWh will be officially put into production in July 2022.
ZOOLNASM
Register capital: 13.07496 million RMB Company website: http://www.zoolnasm.com/
ZOOLNASM is an emerging sodium-ion battery company. The company has carried out in-depth research on the electrochemical system, structure and system development of low-cost, long-cycle sodium-ion batteries with an original technical route. ZOOLNASM is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world in the transformation of sodium-ion battery research results with its excellent R&D capabilities.
The energy density of ZOOLNASM’s whole system battery cells is 120-160Wh/kg, the cycle performance can reach 2000-10000 cycles, and it can work normally at minus 20°C. In 2023, it will enter the mass production stage, and at the same time deploy GWh-level production capacity.
Natron Energy
International headquarters: California, US Company website: http://www.natron.energy
As one of top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, Natron Energy is the world’s leading developer and supplier of high power, long life, and low cost Prussian Blue Sodium Ion battery solutions for critical power and industrial applications, including data center UPS systems and electrically-powered materials handling equipment.
Natron Energy sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: symmetrical aqueous battery; Cathode material: high-magnification Prussian blue
Production capacity planning:
In May 2022, Natron Energy and Clarios International announced a strategic agreement to collaborate on the production of large-scale sodium-ion batteries. Natron Energy has been developing sodium-ion batteries for a long time, probably more than 10 years.
FARADION
International headquarters: Yorkshire, UK Company website: https://faradion.co.uk/
FARADION, one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, aims to develop sodium-ion technology and bring it to market. FARADION was the first company of the new Millennium to identify and exploit the potential of sodium ions in a rechargeable battery. With more patents in this area than competing sodium ion companies in the world, FARADION can cement its position as market leader of non-aqueous sodium-ion batteries.
On March 10, 2021, battery manufacturers AMTE Power and FARADION announced a collaboration to combine FARADION’s intellectual property with AMTE Power’s design and manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration enables sodium-ion battery technology to be incorporated into a range of renewable energy applications.
Top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world
Under the dual carbon goals, energy conservation and emission reduction, and the development of clean energy are the inevitable requirements and transformation direction of China’s energy strategy. In addition, the price of lithium carbonate is high, and the upstream cost has risen sharply in the short term to further compress the profit margins of the midstream and downstream.
It is imminent to find alternative materials, which has accelerated the research and layout of enterprises on the industrialization of sodium ion battery. This article summarizes the development progress and capacity planning of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world for reference.
Comparison of sodium ion battery vs lithium ion battery
The essence of sodium-ion batteries is that sodium ions are intercalated and extracted between the cathode and anode to achieve charge transfer during the charging and discharging process, which is similar to the working principle of lithium-ion batteries. Compared with lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have significant advantages because they have no obvious resource constraints and lower investment costs:
● High cost-effective
The accessories of sodium-ion batteries are correspondingly cheaper than lithium-ion batteries. In addition, sodium compounds can be used as electrode materials, which is also an important direction for cost reduction. Sodium salt raw materials are rich in reserves and low in price. Compared with ternary lithium battery cathode materials using iron-manganese-nickel-based cathode materials, the cost of raw materials is reduced by half.
● Sodium-ion batteries have no overdischarge characteristics
Since the sodium-ion battery has no over-discharge characteristics, it is allowed to discharge the sodium-ion battery to zero volts. The energy density of sodium-ion batteries is greater than 100Wh/kg, which is comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries, but its cost advantage is obvious, and it is expected to replace traditional lead-acid batteries in large-scale energy storage.
Top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world
CATL
Total market value: 1300.844 billion RMB
Company website: https://www.catl.com/
CATL is a world-leading new energy innovation technology company and CATL is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, focusing on the R&D, production and sales of new energy vehicle power battery systems and energy storage systems. Its core technologies include R&D and manufacturing capabilities of the entire industry chain in the fields of power and energy storage batteries, materials, cells, battery systems, battery recycling and secondary utilization.
CATL sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: square case;
Cathode materials: Prussian blue, layered metal oxides;
Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
The first-generation sodium-ion battery will be released on July 29, 2021, and the energy density of a single battery cell will reach 160Wh/kg. Charging at room temperature for 15 minutes, the power can reach more than 80%; in a low-temperature environment of -20°C, it has a discharge retention rate of more than 90%; the system integration efficiency can reach more than 80%.
The energy density of the second-generation sodium-ion battery cells will exceed 200Wh/kg, and the system energy density will reach 160Wh/kg.In 2023, the basic industrial chain of sodium-ion batteries will be formed, and the industrialization of sodium-ion batteries will be promoted in 2023; GWh-level shipments will be achieved in 2024.
Great Power
Total market value: 40.619 billion RMB
Company website: http://www.greatpower.net
Great Power is a high-tech companies focusing on the production, manufacture and research and development of lithium-ion batteries for more than 20 years. The company’s business scope covers digital consumer batteries, new energy vehicle power batteries, energy storage batteries and light power batteries, power tool batteries and other fields.
Great Power sodium battery products:
Cathode material: polyanion, layered oxide;
Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
The three teams of Great Power sodium-ion batteries are each responsible for a technical route. At present, the two batteries of polyanion and layered oxide have been verified and successfully sent to customers for sample application; Prussian white is not mature enough at present, and it is difficult to commercialize in the short term. The number of polyanion cycles can reach 3000-4000 times, and the energy density can reach about 100Wh/kg. In 2023, upstream materials and sodium batteries are expected to achieve mass production.
Pylontech
Total market value: 46.266 billion RMB
Company website: http://www.pylontech.com.cn
Pylontech is one of the earliest manufacturers in China to start the commercial use of lithium battery energy storage systems, focusing on the application of lithium battery energy storage for more than 10 years. The company integrates the key links of the industrial chain, has a number of core patented technologies including lithium-ion battery manufacturing, BMS, EMS and system integration and other upstream and downstream key links, and can provide users with one-stop energy storage system solutions.
Pylontech sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: soft pack;
Cathode material: layered oxide
Production capacity planning:
Among the sodium ion battery companies in the world, Pylontech’s first-generation sodium-ion battery product completed a small test. By the end of 2021, the company has formed an annual battery production capacity of 3GWh and a system production capacity of 3.5GWh. In June 2022, the company issued a fixed increase plan, planning to build a 10GWh battery and system integration production base in Hefei to help the company break through the production capacity bottleneck.
VEKEN
Total market value: 7.916 billion RMB
Company website: http://www.veken-tech.com
VEKEN is mainly engaged in new energy lithium batteries, with 3C digital batteries and power batteries as its core business. The company is an industry-leading new energy technology-based enterprise integrating R&D, manufacturing, sales and service of lithium-ion batteries, and has the ability to integrate battery cell manufacturing, packaging and system integration solutions.
VEKEN sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: pouch;
Cathode material: layered oxide;
Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
In top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, NATRIUM’s 1,000 sodium power pilot test line has been put into production, and a small amount of samples will be sent to strategic cooperation customers. Samples will be sent to the market in early December 2022. The pilot test line of 0.5GWH is expected to be completed in December. In 2023, the sodium battery will be shipped 0.8-1GWh, and it is expected to ship in the second half of 23, with a daily output of 8,000 batteries, a single battery of 20Ah and 80Ah, and a four-month schedule of 0.2GWh.
NATRIUM
Register capital: 14.117 million RMB
Company website: http://natriumenergy.cn/
NATRIUM focuses on technological innovation and engineering of sodium-ion batteries, it is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, And it is guided by market demand to develop, produce and sell a new generation of power and energy storage battery systems for smart grid energy storage, electric vehicles, distributed energy storage, and chemical power sources for special purposes, providing green and sustainable energy solutions.
NATRIUM sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: soft pack, cylindrical, square;
Cathode material: sodium ferrite-based material/sodium vanadium phosphate;
Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
NATRIUM is planning a 1GWh cell production line. NATRIUM and VEKEN: 1,000 sodium battery pilot lines have been put into production; 2GWH sodium battery + lithium battery compatible line is expected to be put into production in June 23; batteries may be shipped in Q4 or the first half of 2023.
LiFUN
Register capital: 68.2568 million RMB
Company website: http://www.lifuntech.com
Founded in 2013, LiFUN is the first sodium-ion battery company in Zhuzhou, Hunan, and it is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world. In April 2022, LiFUN released the first generation of sodium-ion batteries. The weight energy density of the soft-packed single cell of this product can reach 140Wh/Kg and 270wh/L volume energy density. Support fast charging for 15 minutes, SOC (state of charge) is greater than 80%.
LiFUN sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: soft pack;
Cathode material: layered oxide;
Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
In April 2022, the layered oxide will be pilot-tested ton-scale production; LiFUN will cooperate with Natron Energy to pilot the Prussian blue full battery. Realize mass production of sodium-ion batteries in 2023.
HiNa BATTERY
Register capital: 30.94995 million RMB
Company website: https://www.hinabattery.com
HiNa BATTERY is a company specializing in the R&D and production of a new generation of energy storage systems – sodium-ion batteries. It has a number of core patents for sodium-ion batteries, and is one of the few sodium ion battery companies in the world that has core patents and technologies for sodium-ion batteries.
HiNa BATTERY sodium battery products:
Sodium batteries: soft pack, cylindrical and aluminum case batteries;
Cathode material: layered oxide;
Anode material: anthracite
Production capacity planning:
HiNa BATTERY established the first 30kW/100kWh sodium-ion battery energy storage station in 2019; on June 28, 2021, the world’s first 1MWh sodium-ion battery light storage and charging smart microgrid system was put into operation. The world’s first large-scale production line of sodium-ion batteries is mass-produced, with a planned production capacity of 5GWh, which will be constructed in two phases. The first phase of 1GWh will be officially put into production in July 2022.
ZOOLNASM
Register capital: 13.07496 million RMB
Company website: http://www.zoolnasm.com/
ZOOLNASM is an emerging sodium-ion battery company. The company has carried out in-depth research on the electrochemical system, structure and system development of low-cost, long-cycle sodium-ion batteries with an original technical route. ZOOLNASM is one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world in the transformation of sodium-ion battery research results with its excellent R&D capabilities.
ZOOLNASM sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: soft pack;
Cathode material: sodium ferric sulfate (polyanion);
Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
The energy density of ZOOLNASM’s whole system battery cells is 120-160Wh/kg, the cycle performance can reach 2000-10000 cycles, and it can work normally at minus 20°C. In 2023, it will enter the mass production stage, and at the same time deploy GWh-level production capacity.
Natron Energy
International headquarters: California, US
Company website: http://www.natron.energy
As one of top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, Natron Energy is the world’s leading developer and supplier of high power, long life, and low cost Prussian Blue Sodium Ion battery solutions for critical power and industrial applications, including data center UPS systems and electrically-powered materials handling equipment.
Natron Energy sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: symmetrical aqueous battery;
Cathode material: high-magnification Prussian blue
Production capacity planning:
In May 2022, Natron Energy and Clarios International announced a strategic agreement to collaborate on the production of large-scale sodium-ion batteries. Natron Energy has been developing sodium-ion batteries for a long time, probably more than 10 years.
FARADION
International headquarters: Yorkshire, UK
Company website: https://faradion.co.uk/
FARADION, one of the top 10 sodium ion battery companies in the world, aims to develop sodium-ion technology and bring it to market. FARADION was the first company of the new Millennium to identify and exploit the potential of sodium ions in a rechargeable battery. With more patents in this area than competing sodium ion companies in the world, FARADION can cement its position as market leader of non-aqueous sodium-ion batteries.
FARADION sodium battery products:
Sodium battery: soft pack;
Cathode material: Ni, Mn, Ti-based layered oxide;
Anode material: hard carbon
Production capacity planning:
On March 10, 2021, battery manufacturers AMTE Power and FARADION announced a collaboration to combine FARADION’s intellectual property with AMTE Power’s design and manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration enables sodium-ion battery technology to be incorporated into a range of renewable energy applications.
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