A lack of established manufacturers threaten the security of sodium ion battery supply, according to Benchmark’s Sodium ion Battery Forecast. Currently, there are only three Tier 1 manufacturers: BYD, CATL, and Farasis Energy. All three also manufacture lithium ion batteries. In contrast, there are 43 Tier 2 and 3 manufacturers, Benchmark data shows. “While the […]
> With demand for energy storage systems (ESS) set to triple this decade, sodium ion batteries have become one of the most promising next-generation battery chemistries for this sector. “The key performance criteria of batteries for ESS are cost, safety, and lifetime. Sodium ion batteries have the attributes to meet these key criteria, making ESS a […]
> Benchmark Week 2025 kicked off in LA on Tuesday, with policy makers, industry leaders, and experts from Benchmark discussing the key topics impacting energy transition supply chains in 2025. From across the first day’s sessions three key takeaways emerged: 1. Supply chains are a national security priority now more than ever “These are not just […]
> Lithium chemical prices spiked in China on Monday following a bullish speech by the chairman of Ganfeng – the world’s third-largest lithium producer – in which it was suggested that lithium demand growth could reach 30% in 2026. In a keynote speech on 16 November at the 10th International Summit on Power Battery Application in […]
> Benchmark has tracked over $50 billion of energy transition funding, throughout 2025 in its Energy Transition Capital database, with the largest share allocated to the battery supply chain. The role of debt, grants, and equity Debt The EV, battery, and battery materials markets have matured rapidly over the past few years. As a result, debt is playing an increasingly […]
> Escalating unrest in Mali, as jihadi groups target fuel convoys around the capital Bamako, has led several governments including France and the US to advise their citizens to leave the country. The attacks have created fuel shortages, and raised serious concerns around the military government’s ability to maintain its rule in the country. Mali is […]
> Sodium ion battery production is set to accelerate as some automakers look to capitalise on the potentially lower costs compared to lithium ion batteries. While lithium ion batteries use graphite anode materials, sodium ion batteries require hard carbon anodes instead. But announcements for the production of such anodes are lagging behind those of sodium ion […]
> Two-thirds of the 2035 sodium ion pipeline capacity is from Tier 3 producers, the Benchmark Gigafactory Database shows. Just 10% of capacity is from Tier 1 producers – those who have proven their ability to produce battery cells at scale for customers outside of China. The reverse trend is true for lithium ion batteries, with […]
> Benchmark Mineral Intelligence today announced the commercial launch of its new 314Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell price for energy storage applications. The announcement comes as global LFP battery cell prices show signs of recovery, following a marked rebound in lithium carbonate costs and tightening supply conditions across the battery materials market. Benchmark’s Head of […]