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Technology Outlook: Sodium-ion cells in battery pack and battery solutions
While the commercial market for sodium-ion cells is already up and running, demand for this new cell chemistry in development projects for battery packs and battery solutions is currently focused on one specific characteristic. Yves Janßen, Head of Operations at Omnitron Griese GmbH, outlines the opportunities that the new technology offers both now and in the future:
For whom is it already benefical to start buying sodium-ion cells today?
“There are various drivers. On the one hand, there is the innovation itself. Pioneers generally embrace new technologies at an early stage. Or, in this case, they specifically anticipate that sodium-ion cells will establish themselves as a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion cells and are testing them. So they can take on a leading role in this market in a timely manner. This relates to business models, marketing aspects and corporate visions. Another driver lies in the sustainability of the new cell chemistry. Sodium is a globally available raw material that can be extracted and used in a more environmentally friendly way. Cobalt is not required. Those actively committed to climate protection will not necessarily wait for sodium-ion cells to become cheaper. And last but not least, the new cell chemistry is simply better suited to certain niche and specialised applications than lithium-ion technology.”
What properties does sodium-ion technology offer?
“As well as sustainability, sodium-ion cells are characterised by an exceptional cycle life and distinctive low-temperature behaviour. At the same time, it is a very safe cell chemistry. In this respect, it is comparable to lithium iron phosphate (LFP). Furthermore, sodium-ion cells have great potential to be offered at significantly lower prices than lithium-ion cells in the future. However, the energy density is lower, meaning that the weight is higher than that of lithium-ion cells for the same storage capacity.”
For which applications are sodium-ion cells an advantage?
“Sodium-ion batteries are attractive for all applications that require safety, longevity and the availability of raw materials. And for those where low costs are more important than maximum energy density or weight. These would include, for example, storage systems for renewable energy. Or batteries for electric vehicles that can be recharged regularly, such as city buses, refuse collection vehicles and automated guided vehicles. Sodium-ion cells are equally well suited to defence applications and emergency power supply for critical infrastructure, particularly in backup systems for mobile phone masts or data centres.
Another interesting area of application for this new cell chemistry is in colder climates such as Northern Europe, Canada or high-altitude mountain regions. Sodium-ion cells demonstrate impressive performance at low temperatures. The batteries can be charged and discharged much more effectively in cold environments than lithium-ion cells. They therefore store more capacity and consequently deliver more capacity as well. Sodium-ion-based battery packs can thus function as off-site storage without the need for complex temperature control.”
What does this new cell chemistry imply for the stability of supply chains?
“Europe has a real opportunity here. Once dependence on lithium is eliminated, supply chains for battery materials within the EU can be established in a much more stable manner. Sodium, as a raw material, is available across the entire continent, can be transported over shorter distances and is not at risk of becoming scarce.”
When will sodium-ion technology achieve its breakthrough?
“That depends on several factors. Sodium-ion cells will establish themselves in the market the moment their price becomes comparable to that of lithium-ion products – particularly LFP. Their advantage lies in the fact that battery production is based on identical processes and existing infrastructure can be utilised. However, sodium-ion cells require different anode and cathode materials to lithium-ion cells. Only once these have been scaled up and their supply chains are stable will the price of sodium-ion batteries be able to fall significantly. But when that happens, they will unleash their full cost-saving potential.”
Is Omnitron already using sodium-ion cells in customised battery pack solutions?
“Which cells we use in which project depends essentially on the application-specific objectives and cost optimisation. With our partners, we have already positioned ourselves for the future in terms of sodium-ion cells. The new cell chemistry has been part of our off-the-shelf product portfolio since August 2025. This portfolio generally also provides the foundation for our pack and battery solutions. If sodium-ion technology meets the relevant requirements and is the best solution both technically and economically, then we use it. At the moment, however, the new cell chemistry still requires adjustments to the electronics and battery management systems. In individual cases, it may nevertheless make sense to use sodium-ion cells even now. This primarily affects their low-temperature properties. These are the main driver behind the current demand for sodium-ion cells in the development of customised battery packs. In the long term, such early applications will become more cost-effective. We are delighted if manufacturers and product developers approach us today with their ideas for using sodium-ion cells. We will then explore how we can best help them achieve their goals.”