The global battery landscape is moving beyond lithium-ion dependence. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a credible alternative, addressing cost, safety, and supply chain risks tied to lithium, cobalt, and nickel batteries. Built on abundant raw materials and compatible with existing production lines, SIBs offer an adaptable pathway toward localized energy storage manufacturing.
Recent developments show real traction. Leading players such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) and Hina Battery Technology have achieved up to 175 watt-hours per kilogram energy density and fast charging capabilities equating to 80% charge in 15 minutes, with costs in China already near $40 per kilowatt-hour at a cell level. These advances position SIBs well for stationary storage, short-range electric vehicles, and portable devices that prioritize stability and affordability.
Frost & Sullivan’s Growth Webinar, “Advancing the Future of Energy Storage with Sodium-ion Batteries; How Technical Innovation Is Powering the Shift Toward Scalable, Sustainable Alternatives to Lithium”, explored how the technology is evolving from pilot-scale to early commercialization, what challenges remain in efficiency and performance, and how emerging innovators are reshaping global supply chains.
How can your organization identify the right entry points and partnerships as sodium-ion moves toward large-scale deployment?
Growth Avenues Discussed in This Webinar
- Moving beyond lithium-ion: Exploring sodium-ion batteries as a cost-effective and safer alternative.
- Bridging innovation and scale: Advancing from pilot projects to multi-gigawatt-hour manufacturing.
- Strengthening energy security: Reducing dependence on lithium, cobalt, and nickel supply chains.
- Technology evolution: Enhancing energy density, charge rates, and round-trip efficiency.
- Market expansion: Unlocking opportunities in stationary storage, urban mobility, and consumer electronics.
Featured Experts
During this session, the following speakers shared their insights on the evolution, commercialization, and growth trajectory of SIB technology:
- Jonathan Robinson – Associate Partner & Global Practice Area Leader, Growth Opportunity Analytics, Frost & Sullivan
- Ankit Shukla – Vice President, TechVision, Frost & Sullivan
- Pankaj Gaur – Team Lead, Growth Opportunity Analytics, TechVision, Frost & Sullivan
Together, they explored how SIBs are reshaping the global energy storage landscape through innovation, cost reduction, and supply chain resilience.
Transformative Viewpoints Discussed in the Session
- From Lithium Dependence to Material Diversification
The energy storage market is moving beyond lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as safety incidents, supply shortages, and cost fluctuations accelerate the search for new chemistries.
- The reliance of LIBs on lithium, cobalt, and nickel has exposed the industry to geopolitical and ethical risks.
- SIBs use abundant and widely available sodium, enabling local manufacturing and cost predictability.
- Transition of the energy storage market from LIBs toward SIBs marks a decisive step toward a more diversified, sustainable, and secure energy ecosystem.
How is your organization preparing for a more geographically balanced and resource-resilient energy storage landscape?
- Safety, Cost, and Performance Trade-offs
Balancing safety and affordability remains a critical challenge in battery technology.
- SIBs deliver strong safety performance due to inherently slower chemical reactions and lower thermal runaway risk.
- Manufacturing costs are projected near 40 dollars per kilowatt-hour, compared to 50–70 dollars or more for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
- With energy densities reaching 175 watt-hours per kilogram, SIBs are approaching LFP benchmarks and could achieve parity within three years.
Which use cases in your portfolio could benefit most from safer, lower-cost sodium-ion deployment?
- Scaling Commercialization and Supply Chain Maturity
Manufacturing maturity will determine how quickly SIBs gain market share.
- China currently leads global production, supported by Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), Hina Battery Technology, and BlueET.
- European and Indian players such as Tiamat and Reliance-backed Faradion are ramping up giga-scale plants to regionalize supply.
- Localized ecosystems could reduce dependency on lithium-dominant markets and reshape cost competitiveness.
What regional partnerships or investments can strengthen your organization’s position in the sodium-ion value chain?
- Technological and Application Advancements
Innovation across materials and design is accelerating the adoption of SIBs.
- New anode and cathode materials are enhancing round-trip efficiency and cycle life.
- Wider operating ranges, from minus 20 to 60 degrees Celsius, make SIBs ideal for stationary storage and grid applications.
- Portable power systems and short-range electric vehicles are emerging as the first commercial testbeds for sodium-ion technology.
- Key Challenges to Overcome
- Energy Density: Still lower than nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistries, limiting use in high-performance mobility applications.
- Manufacturing Ecosystem: Supply chains outside China remain immature.
- Efficiency and Consistency: Round-trip efficiency and cycle-life stability require further innovation.
- Market Acceptance: End users remain cautious until long-term reliability and cost parity are proven.
What strategic collaborations can help your organization bridge these technical and commercialization gaps?
“From barely commercialized today to a projected 6.4 billion dollars within a decade — sodium-ion batteries are moving from concept to commercialization faster than anyone expected.”
— Jonathan Robinson, Associate Partner & Global Practice Area Leader, Frost & Sullivan
“Sodium-ion batteries won’t just complement lithium-ion — they’ll decentralize battery production and redefine supply chain resilience for the energy storage industry.”
— Pankaj Gaur, Team Lead, Growth Opportunity Analytics, TechVision, Frost & Sullivan
Watch the full webinar and advance your energy storage strategy today.
As sodium-ion battery technologies mature, leadership will belong to organizations that integrate new chemistries, strengthen supply chain resilience, and align innovation with long-term sustainability goals. The question is — how will your company position itself in this next phase of the global energy storage transition?
Click here to connect with Frost & Sullivan’s TechVision Energy & Utilities growth experts for tailored strategies, technology roadmaps, and best practices in sodium-ion innovation and commercialization.
