2025 Climate Tech Companies to Watch: HiNa Battery Technology and its effort to commercialize salt cells
2025 Climate Tech Companies to Watch: HiNa Battery Technology and its effort to commercialize salt cells
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
- Sodium-ion as a Sustainable Alternative: HiNa Battery Technology is pioneering sodium-ion (salt cell) batteries as a crucial alternative to lithium-ion, leveraging abundant sodium to address supply chain risks and environmental concerns associated with finite lithium resources.
- Commercialization and Real-World Impact: HiNa has successfully mass-produced sodium-ion batteries for both commercial-scale energy storage (e.g., Hubei Province plant avoiding 13,000 tons of CO2 annually) and small electric vehicles like mopeds.
- Unique Advantages & Ongoing Development: While current sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density than lithium, they offer superior cold weather performance and faster charging. HiNa is actively innovating to increase energy density and target specific markets like heavy trucks with fast-charging solutions.
- Market Dynamics and Competition: The nascent sodium-ion market faces commercial challenges, including higher current unit costs compared to lithium, lower energy density for certain applications, and intense competition from established battery giants like CATL and BYD.
- Path to Net-Zero and Resource Independence: HiNa’s efforts are vital for achieving net-zero emissions, enhancing energy independence by diversifying critical mineral reliance, and laying a groundwork for a resilient, sustainable energy future.
- Introduction: The Rise of Sodium-Ion
- HiNa’s Groundbreaking Work
- HiNa’s Vision: Powering the Future with Abundance
- Innovations for Grid Stability and Electric Mobility
- Navigating Commercial Headwinds and Charting Future Growth
- Actionable Steps for a Resilient Battery Future
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction: The Rise of Sodium-Ion
The global push towards a sustainable future demands revolutionary energy storage solutions. As electric vehicles become mainstream and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power grow, the reliance on efficient, secure, and environmentally friendly batteries intensifies. However, the current dominance of lithium-ion technology faces critical challenges related to the finite nature and geographically concentrated supply chains of essential minerals.
Amidst this backdrop, a compelling alternative is emerging, poised to transform the battery industry: sodium-ion cells. Harnessing one of the earth’s most abundant elements, this technology promises a significant stride towards energy independence and ecological balance. Leading this charge is HiNa Battery Technology, a trailblazing Chinese innovator dedicated to bringing the powerful “salt cell” from cutting-edge research to widespread commercial application.
HiNa’s Groundbreaking Work
HiNa Battery Technology is a trailblazer in developing and mass-producing batteries using sodium, a widely available element that can be extracted from sea salt. The startup’s products—already powering small vehicles and energy storage plants in China—provide a valuable alternative to lithium-based batteries, made with materials mined and processed in just a few countries.
Over the next few decades, the world will need a lot more batteries to power electric cars and keep grids stable. Today most battery cells are made with lithium, so the mineral is expected to be in hyper demand, leading to supply chain risks: 85% of the global lithium supply will be refined in just three countries in 2030—China, Chile, and Argentina, according to the International Energy Agency.
But a new technology has come on the scene, potentially disrupting the global battery industry. Sodium-ion cells are made with an element 400 times more abundant than lithium. It can be found and extracted pretty much anywhere there is seawater or salt deposits in the ground, and harvesting it is a centuries-old practice. For decades, research of the technology was abandoned due to the huge commercial success of lithium-ion cells. Now, HiNa Battery Technology is working to bring sodium back to the limelight—and to the mass market.
Led by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, HiNa’s goal is to commercialize sodium-ion technology in an industry dominated by lithium. To deliver that, it has built labs to develop its own chemistries and factories to make cells at scale.
HiNa began mass manufacturing last year, bringing two sodium-ion products to market. One is a cube-shaped battery for storing electricity; it’s already powering commercial-scale energy storage stations in China, including one in Hubei Province that began operation in July 2024. The other product is a cylindrical battery already being used in electric mopeds (which are ubiquitous in China) and other small vehicles.
Compared to their lithium counterparts, sodium-ion batteries perform better in cold environments and can charge faster, but they have lower energy density. This means a sodium-ion battery carries less energy than a lithium-ion battery of the same size—a problem for cars, since that means shorter range.
HiNa says it will continue to increase its products’ energy density through technological innovations, such as by using more-efficient materials for the cathode and anode and improving batteries’ structure. Currently, the energy density of its cube-shaped battery is 165 watt-hours per kilogram—around 80% of that of a lithium iron phosphate battery, the mainstream lithium battery in China.
Key indicators
- Industry:
- Energy storage
- Founded:
- 2017
- Headquarters:
- Beijing, China
- Notable fact:
- HiNa was founded by Chen Liquan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and three of his students, with support from the academy. Chen is dubbed “the father of Chinese lithium batteries” for leading a team that developed the country’s first such cell three decades ago. At 85, Chen still oversees HiNa’s research and development with one of the students—the company’s chairman, Hu Yongsheng.
Potential for impact
The global sodium-ion market is still in its infancy, and its future is uncertain, but HiNa’s endeavor has provided a potential solution for the world to achieve net-zero carbon emissions without overly relying on a handful of critical minerals, whose production has drawn environmental, humanitarian, and geopolitical concerns.
In the energy storage sector—sodium-ion batteries’ main area of usage—they are expected to grab up to 30% of the global market by 2030. The 50-megawatt energy storage plant in Hubei Province alone is projected to avoid an estimated 13,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year, which is roughly equivalent to removing about 3,000 gas-powered cars from the road.
Caveats
HiNa faces a big question: Can sodium-ion batteries thrive commercially? Lithium-ion cells are projected to remain cheaper and more powerful in the foreseeable future. The unit price of sodium-ion batteries is currently about 60% higher than that of lithium ones, but their theoretical production cost should eventually be around a third lower than that of lithium-ion cells. Industry analysts say HiNa and other sodium-ion battery makers must ensure that customers can get more bang for their bucks in order to create a market.
Chinese lithium-battery behemoths are also making moves into sodium, upping pressure on specialist companies like HiNa. CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, has said it will mass-produce sodium-ion batteries for electric cars by the end of this year. Meanwhile, EV giant BYD is building a massive factory in eastern China dedicated to making sodium-ion cells.
Next steps
HiNa’s plan is to focus on a few submarkets. It says that sectors such as heavy trucks and energy storage represent huge potential because of China’s big domestic market.
The company aims to launch a fast-charging sodium-ion battery that powers heavy trucks this month. The battery can fully charge in just 20 minutes, according to HiNa. The feature is expected to be a draw for truck drivers, who cannot afford long pit stops.
HiNa’s Vision: Powering the Future with Abundance
Founded in 2017 in Beijing, China, HiNa Battery Technology represents a strategic imperative to address global resource challenges. Guided by the revered Chen Liquan, often celebrated as “the father of Chinese lithium batteries,” HiNa embarked on a mission to harness sodium—an element 400 times more abundant than lithium. This ambitious vision seeks to mitigate global dependence on concentrated lithium supply chains, which are heavily refined in a few key nations.
Sodium’s appeal stems not only from its widespread presence in seawater and geological salt deposits but also from its inherent ease of extraction. Although decades of lithium-ion’s commercial success overshadowed sodium research, HiNa’s focused efforts signal a pivotal resurgence. Their commitment is demonstrated through dedicated laboratories for advanced chemistry development and large-scale factories for cell production, establishing a solid infrastructure for broad commercialization.
Innovations for Grid Stability and Electric Mobility
HiNa’s launch into mass manufacturing last year marked a momentous occasion for the sodium-ion sector. The company successfully introduced two primary products: a cube-shaped battery optimized for stationary energy storage and a cylindrical battery tailored for smaller electric vehicles. These innovations are already making significant, practical impacts, particularly across China’s evolving energy landscape.
A tangible demonstration of HiNa’s real-world application is the 50-megawatt energy storage plant in Hubei Province, which commenced operations in July 2024. This facility, utilizing HiNa’s sodium-ion cells, showcases the technology’s readiness for large-scale grid stabilization and seamless integration of renewable energy. Such projects are critical accelerators for achieving net-zero carbon emissions, with the Hubei plant alone projected to avert an estimated 13,000 tons of CO2 annually—equivalent to taking roughly 3,000 gas-powered cars off the road.
Beyond utility grids, HiNa’s cylindrical batteries are actively powering electric mopeds and other compact vehicles, ubiquitous in Chinese urban environments. While sodium-ion batteries currently exhibit a lower energy density compared to their lithium-ion counterparts—resulting in shorter ranges for larger electric vehicles—they offer compelling advantages. These include superior performance in frigid conditions and faster charging capabilities, making them ideal for specific applications where these attributes are paramount.
HiNa remains dedicated to advancing sodium-ion technology. Through continuous innovation in cathode and anode materials, alongside structural enhancements, the company aims to close the energy density gap. Their current cube-shaped battery already achieves 165 watt-hours per kilogram, representing approximately 80% of the energy density found in mainstream lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Navigating Commercial Headwinds and Charting Future Growth
Despite the immense promise, the sodium-ion market is in its early stages and faces commercial challenges. A notable hurdle is the current unit price, with sodium-ion batteries presently costing around 60% more than comparable lithium-ion options. However, industry forecasts indicate that with scaling production and ongoing technological refinements, theoretical production costs could eventually be a third lower than those of lithium-ion cells.
The increasing interest from established industry titans further underscores this technology’s trajectory. Major lithium-battery producers like CATL and EV powerhouse BYD are aggressively entering the sodium-ion space, intensifying competition. This vibrant competitive landscape, while challenging for specialized firms like HiNa, also validates the technology’s long-term potential and accelerates its overall development.
HiNa’s strategic approach focuses on specific submarkets where sodium-ion batteries excel. The heavy truck sector, for instance, offers substantial growth potential, particularly within China’s expansive domestic market. The company is set to launch a fast-charging sodium-ion battery designed for heavy trucks this month, boasting a full charge time of just 20 minutes—a crucial advantage for commercial logistics where minimizing downtime is essential.
Actionable Steps for a Resilient Battery Future
The ascent of sodium-ion technology, championed by innovators like HiNa, provides a tangible roadmap toward a more diverse, secure, and sustainable energy future. Here’s how various stakeholders can actively contribute to this vital transition:
- Champion Diverse Energy Storage Solutions: Businesses and consumers engaged in stationary energy storage or small-to-medium electric vehicle applications should proactively explore and consider sodium-ion battery solutions. Prioritize suppliers and projects that invest in and deploy these alternative chemistries, especially where their inherent advantages (e.g., cold weather performance, rapid charging) deliver optimal value.
- Invest in Breakthrough Battery Innovation: Investors, venture capitalists, and institutional funds should expand their focus beyond conventional lithium-ion technologies. Explore and support investment opportunities in advanced battery chemistries, including sodium-ion, to help de-risk future energy transitions, enhance supply chain resilience, and foster localized manufacturing capabilities.
- Advocate for Supportive Policies and Infrastructure: Policymakers, urban planners, and energy regulators are crucial in creating an enabling environment for diverse battery technologies. This includes funding cutting-edge research and development, offering incentives for the adoption of non-lithium battery solutions, and strategically developing charging and grid infrastructure to seamlessly integrate new energy storage advancements.
Conclusion
HiNa Battery Technology’s unwavering commitment to commercializing salt cells marks a pivotal moment in the climate tech narrative. By introducing a viable, abundant, and geographically diversified alternative to lithium-ion batteries, HiNa is doing more than just manufacturing cells; it’s laying the groundwork for enhanced energy independence, significantly reduced environmental impact, and accelerated global progress toward net-zero carbon emissions. While the sodium-ion market faces commercialization hurdles and intense competition, HiNa’s pioneering spirit underscores its profound potential to redefine how the world stores and harnesses energy for generations to come.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are sodium-ion batteries and how do they differ from lithium-ion?
Sodium-ion batteries use sodium as their charge carrier, which is significantly more abundant and easily sourced than lithium. They offer advantages like better cold-weather performance and faster charging, though they currently have lower energy density compared to lithium-ion cells.
What are HiNa Battery Technology’s key contributions to the sodium-ion market?
HiNa Battery Technology is a Chinese innovator that has successfully mass-produced sodium-ion batteries. Their products are already deployed in commercial-scale energy storage stations and small electric vehicles, demonstrating the technology’s viability and potential for widespread adoption.
What are the main applications of HiNa’s sodium-ion batteries?
HiNa’s batteries are currently used in large-scale energy storage plants (like the 50-megawatt Hubei Province facility) for grid stability and renewable energy integration, as well as in electric mopeds and other small electric vehicles. They are also developing fast-charging batteries for heavy trucks.
What challenges does sodium-ion technology face in commercialization?
Key challenges include currently higher unit costs compared to mature lithium-ion technology, lower energy density for certain applications (like long-range EVs), and increasing competition from major battery manufacturers entering the sodium-ion space.
How do sodium-ion batteries contribute to sustainable energy goals?
By utilizing abundant sodium, these batteries reduce reliance on finite and geopolitically concentrated lithium supplies, leading to enhanced supply chain resilience. Their deployment in renewable energy storage and electric vehicles directly supports global efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and reduce environmental impact.
