Benchmark launches Sodium ion Market Assessment

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is pleased to announce the launch of its newSodium ion Market Assessmentwhich provides a comprehensive view of the current, and forecasted sodium ion capacity pipeline, on a factory-by-factory level. By assessing capacity build out at three stages of the supply chain, cathode, anode, and cell, Benchmark provides unique insight into a currently opaque market.

The launch of Benchmark’s newSodium ion Market Assessmentenables market participants to gain insight into the development of this emerging battery technology and understand its potential impact on the more dominant lithium ion chemistries.

Benchmark collates and analyses the ramp-up of production capacity of sodium ion cells, cathode and anode material globally. Tracking new project announcements as well as project expansions, delays, and cancellations to give a complete and accurate picture of the distribution of sodium ion battery capacity to 2035. Crucially, following over a year of research, Benchmark has created a Tier ranking, applied to its sodium ion cell capacity outlook. This Tier ranking provides an understanding of the proportion of supply that will be provided by established battery companies that have relationships with major OEMs compared to new market entrants.

Benchmark leverages its deep domain knowledge of anode and cathode chemistries to track announced plans for capacity resulting from projected sodium ion facility build outs, summarising the volume, type, and location of production.

Other components of the report include thorough and insightful written analysis on capacity developments as well as the tracking of partnerships which provides a deeper understanding of the key players and the emerging development of supply chains.

Alex Pearce, Head of Data Assessments, said: “Despite recent falls in lithium ion cell prices, investment continues in sodium ion technology due to growing concerns in the security of supply chains to produce lithium iron phosphate and nickel cobalt manganese cells as well as its attractive proposition for use in the energy storage sector.”

“This assessment allows us to develop a broader and deeper understanding of the evolving battery manufacturing landscape alongside our existingLithium ion Battery Gigafactory Assessment,” he said.

Currently, the sodium ion landscape is even more China centric than that of its lithium ion counterpart. As of 2023, 99.4% of the sodium ion cell manufacturing capacity is based in the country, with that share projected to drop only to 96.3% by the end of the decade. The story is similar for cathode and anode material production capacities.

“It may be that should sodium ion large scale commercialisation manifest, we will see many trends that shaped the lithium ion market come to pass for sodium also. Supply chain localisation could be key moving forward,” Evan Hartley, Senior Analyst, said.

Benchmark’s newSodium Ion Market Assessmentprovides a comprehensive view of the current and forecasted sodium ion capacity pipeline on a factory-by-factory level.

By assessing capacity build out at three stages of the supply chain – cathode, anode and cell – Benchmark provides unique insight into a currently opaque market.

To speak to our experts and to request a sample report, please provide your details here and we’ll contact you shortly.