[Edaily Reporter SOYEON KIM ] As China’s low-cost battery offensive expands from lithium iron phosphate (LFP) to sodium-ion batteries, Korean battery manufacturers are also stepping up their efforts to keep pace. LG Energy Solution has begun preparations for commercialization by establishing sodium-ion battery production lines in Nanjing, China, and Ochang, South Korea. In the energy storage system (ESS) market, where price competitiveness is crucial, the domestic battery industry is stepping up its response—moving beyond research and development (R&D) to include the establishment of production lines and customer validation—to prevent China from gaining the upper hand.

According to industry sources on the 2nd, LG Energy Solution has completed a proof of concept (PoC) with customers for sodium-ion batteries suitable for the long-duration ESS market and is now discussing specific commercialization plans. The company aims to ship sodium-ion battery samples to U.S. ESS customers next year.

LG Energy Solution has retrofitted an existing production line at its Nanjing Plant 1 in China to establish a pilot line with an annual capacity of 200 MWh, and it is reportedly in the process of establishing a main production line at its Ochang plant in South Korea as well. Sodium-ion batteries are considered to reduce the burden of new investment because they can utilize portions of existing lithium-ion battery production lines that have been modified. If necessary, the company can also respond by utilizing existing idle production capacity (CAPA).

Previously, LG Energy Solution also revealed its plans for the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries during its second-quarter earnings conference call. At the time, the company stated that it had secured sodium-ion battery technology suitable for the long-duration energy storage system (ESS) market, completed technical validation of products on a scale of several hundred megawatt-hours (MWh) with major clients, and was discussing specific commercialization plans with those clients.

Rather than immediately replacing lithium-ion batteries entirely, sodium-ion batteries are gaining attention as a next-generation alternative to partially replace the low-cost ESS and entry-level electric vehicle (EV) markets currently dominated by LFP batteries. In particular, as China’s CATL secures large-scale production capacity and actively pursues commercialization, domestic battery manufacturers are also accelerating their efforts to respond.

Last June, CATL unveiled “TENER Sodium,” a next-generation ESS product based on sodium-ion batteries. This product offers over 10,000 charge-discharge cycles at 45 degrees Celsius and maintains a capacity of over 92% even at -20 degrees Celsius. According to the company, this makes it suitable for a wide range of environments, from cold to hot regions. CATL plans to begin supplying sodium-ion ESS systems in China this year, shipping a cumulative total of 1 GWh by the end of the year, and to launch global supply starting in June of next year.

It has already secured a large-scale supply contract. Last April, CATL signed an agreement with Chinese ESS manufacturer Hyperstrong to supply a total of 60 GWh of sodium-ion batteries over the next three years. CATL described this as the world’s largest sodium-ion battery supply contract to date.

Also known as “salt batteries,” sodium-ion batteries charge and discharge by having sodium ions move between the anode and cathode instead of lithium ions. Their key advantages include the abundance of sodium—the core raw material—and a relatively wide range of sourcing regions, which help reduce raw material price volatility and supply chain risks. Although research on sodium-ion batteries began around the same time as that on lithium-ion batteries, they have lagged behind in the race for commercialization due to their relatively low energy density.

The market where sodium-ion batteries are primarily attracting attention is the medium- to long-term energy storage system (ESS) sector. While energy density—which reduces battery weight and volume to increase driving range—is crucial for electric vehicles, ESS systems face relatively fewer constraints in terms of space and weight. Consequently, it is assessed that even sodium-ion batteries, which have lower energy density than LFP batteries, can enter the market by leveraging their price competitiveness, lifespan, and safety. In particular, because they maintain output performance even at low temperatures, they are expected to be highly useful in the ESS market in regions with cold climates.

LG Energy Solution plans to expand the application of sodium-ion batteries into the long-duration ESS market, which stores power for six hours or more. The company is also preparing strategies to target the market for replacing lead-acid batteries in automobiles.

SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. is also preparing to commercialize sodium-ion batteries. Recognizing the long lifespan, high output, and safety of sodium-ion batteries as key strengths, SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. is developing uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and power-grade ESS products that incorporate its proprietary technology. The company intends to finalize its plans for commercialization and mass production in the future.