7 Companies Developing Sodium-Ion Battery Technology

Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) are emerging as a pivotal technology in the ever-evolving energy landscape, reflecting a broader shift towards sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective energy storage solutions. New and innovative battery tech is becoming increasingly crucial as global energy demand increases, especially for EVs, renewable energy, and portable electronics. This is where sodium-ion batteries are beginning to play a crucial role.

Traditionally, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated the energy storage market, renowned for their high energy density and widespread applicability. However, the challenges associated with lithium's availability, cost, and environmental impact have led to a growing interest in alternative chemistries. Sodium, being the sixth most abundant element on Earth, offers a promising alternative. Unlike lithium, sodium is widely distributed and not confined to specific geographical regions, mitigating concerns related to supply chain stability and geopolitical tensions.

The appeal of sodium-ion technology extends beyond mere abundance. Sodium-ion batteries present several technical advantages, such as a broader range of operating temperatures and inherent safety features. They are also showing potential for rapid charging capabilities and extended cycle life, attributes that are particularly valuable in applications demanding high power and durability.

Accenture’s Project Manager Jonathan Helbig was a speaker at The Battery Show Europe 2023, with a presentation titled “Sodium-ion – the new LFP? Material, cost, and application.” In May, he told Battery Technology that he hopes to see the start of NIB commercialization by the end of this year—2023.

“In this very early phase, predicting how NIBs will perform in the long run is hard. A variety of cathode active materials—layered-transition-metal-oxide-based, phosphates, and Prussian blue analogs—also heavily determine the performance, cost, and impact on the climate change of a NIB,” he told Battery Technology.

With sodium-ion batteries offering so much promise for the battery industry, there is naturally a slew of companies working on developing this technology. In this piece, we’ll look at seven companies in the battery industry that, along with Accenture, are pushing the state of sodium-ion battery technology. Read on to learn about seven companies developing sodium-ion battery technology.