Since the re-emergence of sodium-ion batteries in the public eye, one of the proud advantages of sodium-ion batteries has been their significant theoretical cost advantage compared to lithium-ion batteries. So, what is the current development status of low-cost industrialized sodium-ion batteries? Dr. Tim Han, Chairman of Amandarry Corporation, shared some of his own views and insights on this matter.
On February 28, 2023, the "2023 (2nd) Starting Point Sodium-ion Battery Forum" jointly organized by Starting Point Sodium-ion Battery and Starting Point Research was grandly held at the Shenzhen Dunhill International Hotel. In the Sodium-ion Battery Innovation Session, Dr. Tim Han, Chairman of Amandarry Corporation, delivered a speech on the topic of "The Importance and Development Status of Low-cost Industrialized Sodium-ion Batteries".
Dr. Han mentioned that sodium-ion batteries have been very popular in recent years due to the rapid increase in the cost of lithium-ion batteries. This year, due to the downward trend of lithium-ion battery carbonate prices, many people in the industry are worried about whether sodium-ion batteries still have a chance. Regarding this issue of great concern to everyone, Dr. Han believes that the real driving force behind sodium-ion batteries is cost, and the influence of lithium-ion battery carbonate prices is not a key factor. If the cost of sodium-ion batteries cannot be reduced, this industry cannot have significant development.
Currently, the cost of producing sodium batteries in the industry is around 200,000 yuan, which is comparable to the cost of producing lithium carbonate. Even if the price of lithium carbonate drops to around 300,000 yuan, which is currently at 30-40 thousand yuan, it is not a concern. However, this is not the ultimate goal for sodium batteries. In the long term, sodium batteries will compete with lead-acid batteries. To achieve this, low-cost industrialization of the entire industry chain is required. So, how to achieve this?
Specifically, the following aspects need to be considered: starting from the raw materials of sodium batteries, mainly the positive electrode, negative electrode, and electrolyte.
How to reduce the cost of raw materials? Dr. Han, the chairman of Amandarry, mentioned that using more economical raw material formulations, such as layered oxides, which are known to be very cheap except for nickel. By reducing the nickel content, the cost of raw materials can be reduced significantly.
To reduce the manufacturing cost, it is necessary to improve the yield rate, automation level, and optimize production equipment and processes to achieve scale production. In addition, the performance of raw materials needs to be improved, such as increasing the capacity of the positive and negative electrodes and the working voltage of the positive electrode.
Currently, the cost of sodium batteries in the industry is around 0.5-0.8 yuan/Wh. Taking the layered oxide technology for positive electrode materials of sodium-ion batteries as an example, the price of layered oxide in 2023 is between 50,000 and 80,000 yuan/ton, with a capacity of around 120-140mAh/g, an average voltage of 3.0-3.1V, and a pH of 12-13.
As for the negative electrode, the price range is relatively large, at around 30,000-80,000 yuan/ton; the electrolyte is priced at 40,000-80,000 yuan/ton. It is expected that by 2025-2026, the battery cost of sodium-ion batteries can be reduced to less than 0.25 yuan/Wh, the price of layered oxides can be reduced to less than 30,000 yuan/ton, with a capacity of over 150mAh/g, an average voltage of over 3.2V, and a pH of less than 12, with excellent processing performance. The price of negative electrode should be less than 20,000 yuan/ton, and the price of electrolyte should be less than 20,000 yuan/ton.
Dr. Han, Chairman of Amandarry, mentioned that low-cost industrialization capability is Amandarry's biggest core competitiveness. At the same time, Amandarry's customers for sodium positive electrode materials generally give feedback on excellent processing performance. Dr. Han hopes to work together with colleagues in the industry to make the market for sodium-ion batteries bigger and stronger.
According to information, Zhejiang Amandarry New Material Technology Co., Ltd. is a Sino-US joint venture high-tech enterprise led by Dr. Han and established in Haining in 2013. It is one of the key enterprises intended for listing in Haining. Amandarry's core team members all have at least 15 years of industry experience.
Amandarry has multiple invention patents (15 invention patents have been authorized) and KNOW-HOW technology. The production cost is about half of that of peers in the industry, and the production process is more environmentally friendly with no wastewater discharge. By the end of 2021, Amandarry had built a production line with an annual output of 1,000 tons of sodium positive electrode materials. In 2022, it has the capacity to produce 3,000 tons of sodium positive electrode materials and will begin ton-level shipments in April. At present, it has obtained certification from many top customers in two-wheeled electric vehicles, household energy storage, and certain special application scenarios. Meanwhile, Amandarry will continue to gradually shift its research and development focus, target markets, and sales focus to the future and continue to innovate and improve to meet the changing market and customer demands. It is expected to add 10,000 tons of sodium positive electrode material capacity in the second half of 2023 and plan to reach 150,000 tons of sodium positive electrode material capacity by the end of 2025. As an innovative enterprise leading the future, Amandarry will continue to devote itself to promoting technological progress and industry development, creating higher value for customers.
This article is reprinted from QiDianNaDian.
