Energy Storage

This premium article introduces eVTOL and eCTOL aircraft, the battery performance required for commercialization and the technology options available.

Thursday 3 April 2025 - Understanding the Critical Materials in Lithium-Ion Batteries: Trends in Demand, Supply, and Sustainability; An overview of materials in lithium-ion batteries; Critical battery materials demand trends; Trends in battery mineral mining and extraction; Carbon emission profiles of battery raw materials; Global raw materials supply outlooks; The prospects of deep-sea mining

This premium article provides an update on methane pyrolysis. This includes more discussion around hydrogen and carbon product applications, business models, and activities of key players.

China is at the forefront of sodium-ion battery (Na-ion) development, with strong government support, industry investment, and technological innovation driving its growth. Home to the majority of Na-ion companies, China leads in patents (84% of global filings) and is accelerating commercialization through capital alliances and large-scale production plans. The 14th Five-Year Plan prioritizes Na-ion research, with a 100 MWh-class energy storage system targeted by 2025. Key players like CATL, BYD, and HiNa are scaling production, but actual output remains low—0.9 GWh in 2023 to 2.4 GWh in 2024, well below the 50-100 GWh targets for 2025. Scaling challenges include cell quality, energy density, and cycle life improvements, while falling LFP battery costs and supply chain uncertainties add further hurdles. Despite these obstacles, China's Na-ion industry is rapidly evolving, positioning the technology as a viable low-cost, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion.

This premium article explores polymers as electric vehicle battery fire protection.

This premium article provides an updated overview of Li-ion recycling partnerships made over 2023 and 2024, including supply agreements, JVs, MOUs, and more.

Nth Cycle is a critical metal refiner and Li-ion battery recycler based in the US.

This premium article looks at the fuel cell car market in 2024.

This premium article provides an overview of lithium-ion battery (LIB) binders and PFAS restrictions, alternative binder materials, and recycling technologies and strategies for binders.

This premium article explores key aerogel manufacturing processes.

Cylib is a German start-up focused on developing Li-ion battery (LIB) recycling technologies.

Since 2020, the emergence of aerogels as a fire protection material for electric vehicle (EV) batteries has provided a new and rapidly growing opportunity for the aerogel market. According to the latest IDTechEx market report, "Aerogels 2025-2035: Technology, Market, Forecasts", the adoption in EV thermal barriers has helped drive the aerogels market to exceed US$1 billion in 2025.

PlasmaLeap Technologies (PlasmaLeap Pty Ltd) is an Australian startup developing a new hybrid plasma-electrochemical technology for direct production of liquid nitrogen fertilizers and green ammonia.

Tyfast are a US-based company developing a vanadium oxide anode for long cycle life, high-rate Li-ion batteries.

Redwood Materials is a Li-ion battery recycler based in the US.

Wearables, including medical devices, hearables, XR, and smartwatches, will be the main drivers for flexible battery developments - specifically bulk batteries. Companies are looking for new features and form factors from batteries to best suit the development of smaller and lighter devices, particularly in the medical and fitness sectors, where the Internet of Things and interconnected devices will become a large part of remote patient monitoring and health tracking.

How electric 2-wheelers (E2Ws) are used and how their batteries are designed is very different from the car market. IDTechEx's report, "Fire Protection Materials for EV Batteries 2025-2035: Markets, Trends, and Forecasts", finds that the market for fire protection materials in E2Ws will grow by 12 times compared to its 2024 size.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology, offering advantages in cost, material availability, and safety. Their performance is largely determined by the choice of cathode and anode materials, which impact energy density, cycle life, and overall efficiency. Key cathode materials include Na-layered oxides, polyanionic compounds, and Prussian blue analogues, each with distinct strengths and trade-offs. On the anode side, hard carbon is the most widely used, while other materials like metal oxides, sulfides, and alloying compounds offer high capacity but face durability challenges. Understanding these materials and their sodium storage mechanisms—insertion, conversion, and alloying—is crucial for advancing SIB technology and scaling commercial production.

Forecasts from the IDTechEx report "Sodium-ion Batteries 2025-2035: Technology, Players, Markets, and Forecasts"