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Author name: Cornelius Karow

CATL to Expand Sodium-Ion Battery Production by 40 GWh

Battery Production /

The Chinese battery manufacturer CATL plans to significantly increase its production capacity for sodium-ion batteries. According to a document released by environmental authorities in Ningde, China’s Fujian Province, annual production capacity is set to increase by 40 GWh. To this end, CATL intends to invest approximately 5 billion yuan, equivalent to around 735 million US dollars. The project will be implemented by CATL’s subsidiary, Fuding Shidai, and will operate independently of existing plants. Construction is expected to take 24 months. Plans include new facilities for battery cells, electrodes, capacity testing and modules, as well as additional infrastructure. Upon completion of the sixth expansion phase, the total planned capacity of the Fuding Shidai site is expected to reach 149 GWh. Major Order Accelerates Expansion of Sodium Technology This expansion follows a significant order in the stationary energy storage sector. At the end of April, CATL entered into a strategic partnership with the Chinese energy storage provider HyperStrong. This includes a supply contract for 60 GWh of sodium-ion batteries for energy storage over three years. According to CATL, this is the largest sodium battery order worldwide to date. CATL has been investing in the development of sodium-ion batteries for several years. Official figures show that research and development expenditure will total almost 10 billion yuan by the end of 2025. Source:https://cnevpost.com/2026/05/09/catl-plans-40-gwh-sodium-battery-capacity-expansion/

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Siemens Wins Contract for Lionheart Lithium Project

Battery Material /

The Australian-German company Vulcan Energy has signed a framework agreement with Siemens AG worth approximately 40 million euros. The agreement covers the supply of engineering, automation, telecommunications, and building services systems for Vulcan Energy’s “Lionheart” project in the Upper Rhine Graben. The Lionheart project involves developing an integrated lithium and energy production facility that uses geothermal brine. The facility’s planned annual capacity is 24,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Additionally, the project will provide renewable energy and heat to local consumers. The project is expected to operate for approximately 30 years. Siemens’ Role According to the agreement, Siemens will serve as the primary automation partner for the project. This includes providing control systems, industrial networks, and a cybersecurity infrastructure. The contract also includes building automation and safety systems. In addition to the lithium extraction plant in Landau, implementation will cover further processing in Frankfurt-Höchst, as well as several extraction sites. The agreement is based on a framework model. Individual services will be specified through separate orders. Vulcan has committed to a minimum order value of 40 million euros. Additionally, Siemens Financial Services will contribute 67 million euros to the total financing of 2.2 billion euros. This agreement follows a memorandum of understanding that the two companies signed in 2025. This designation named Siemens as a “preferred supplier” through the end of 2035. Source:https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/vul/66938359-f91.pdf

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Redwood Materials Cuts Jobs and Shifts Focus to Energy Storage

Battery Recycling /

The U.S. battery recycler Redwood Materials has cut approximately 135 jobs, amounting to about 10 percent of its workforce. According to the company, these cuts are part of a strategic realignment toward its growing energy storage business. Five months ago, Redwood Materials had already cut five percent of its workforce shortly after a $425 million funding round. This decision comes during a tense period for the industry. Recently, the recycler Ascend Elements filed for bankruptcy protection. Several battery manufacturers have also restructured or exited the market. Companies cite the slowdown in electric mobility development in the U.S. as the reason. However, CEO JB Straubel describes the situation as stable internally. According to the company, the materials business is approaching profitability. Management justifies the cuts by stating that parts of the organization grew faster than necessary. Several departments are affected, including engineering and operations. The goal is to implement future projects with smaller, more focused teams. New Partnerships in the Energy Sector Redwood Materials is focusing more and more on collaborations in the energy sector. The company has announced agreements with Crusoe AI and EV manufacturer Rivian. These agreements involve providing recycled batteries to power facilities. Redwood Materials emphasizes its continued leading role in the U.S. battery recycling market. Meanwhile, Redwood Materials is striving to expand its integrated business model, which combines material processing and energy storage. Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/21/redwood-materials-lays-off-10-in-restructuring-to-chase-energy-storage-business/

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CATL Secures Major Order for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Battery Production /

The Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has signed a significant agreement to supply sodium-ion batteries. Its partner is the Chinese energy storage provider HyperStrong. According to a company statement, the contract covers a volume of 60 gigawatt-hours over a three-year period. Currently, this is the largest known order for sodium-ion batteries. Major Order Signals Market Growth With this agreement, CATL is positioning itself in the growing stationary energy storage market. The company claims to have overcome technical challenges throughout the production chain, enabling large-scale deliveries. CATL reports that it has invested approximately 10 billion yuan (just under 1.5 billion USD) in sodium-ion technology development since 2016. The goal is to establish sodium-ion technology as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries, particularly for applications requiring longer storage durations. The current generation of cells uses a platform design identical in dimensions to lithium-ion cells. This is intended to reduce adaptation costs. CATL expects sodium-ion batteries to achieve a 30- to 40-percent market share in the long term. Source:https://cnevpost.com/2026/04/27/catl-secures-worlds-largest-sodium-ion-battery-order/

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Mangrove Opens Lithium Refinery in Canada

Battery Material /

The Canadian technology company Mangrove Lithium has opened a lithium refinery at its headquarters in Delta, British Columbia. According to Mangrove, it is the first commercial facility in North America to use an electrochemical refining process. The plant has an annual production capacity of approximately 1,000 tons of lithium, enough to supply about 25,000 electric vehicles. New Refinery Aims to Reduce Import Dependency The refinery uses its own electrochemical technology to convert lithium from various raw materials into battery-ready products. Mangrove claims this process is more economical and flexible than traditional chemical methods. The company also aims to reduce dependence on lithium imports with the facility. Currently, the majority of global lithium processing takes place outside North America. At the same time, Mangrove Lithium announced another project in eastern Canada. A facility will be built to process spodumene and further refine lithium. This facility could supply material for up to 500,000 electric vehicles annually. One of the requirements for this is state funding of up to 21.88 million Canadian dollars through Natural Resources Canada, which has only been provisionally approved so far. Source:https://www.mangrovelithium.com/mangrove-lithium-opens-north-americas-first-commercial-electrochemical-lithium-refining-facility/

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Battery Active Material in Europe

Top-Story EN /

Battery-News provides an overview of planned and already implemented projects in the field of active materials for lithium-ion batteries in Europe. The map was first published as part of the “Battery Atlas 2026.” A high-resolution file is available as a free download. If a company is missing or if there are general comments, the Battery-News editorial team will be happy to receive a message.

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Samsung SDI to Supply Batteries to Mercedes-Benz for the First Time

Battery Production /

The South Korean battery manufacturer Samsung SDI has signed a multi-year supply agreement with Mercedes-Benz. Under the agreement, Samsung SDI will supply batteries for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. According to Samsung SDI, this is the first such agreement between the two companies. No details regarding quantities or financial terms were disclosed. Focus on High-Nickel Batteries The agreement covers high-performance nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries with a high nickel content. Mercedes-Benz plans to use these batteries in future compact and mid-size electric SUVs, as well as coupé models.  Beyond the supply agreement, both companies intend to expand their cooperation. They plan to jointly develop new battery technologies. Specific projects or technical approaches were not disclosed. Samsung SDI views the contract as a step towards strengthening its market position in the global competition for electric vehicle batteries. Source:https://www.samsungsdi.com/sdi-now/sdi-news/4842.html?pageIndex=1&pagesize=15&idx=4842

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CATL Unveils New Battery Lineup

Battery Development /

At a technology event in Beijing, the Chinese battery manufacturer CATL unveiled several new battery systems and infrastructure concepts. CATL is pursuing a strategy that focuses on using different battery chemistries in parallel rather than concentrating on a single technology. According to CATL, this approach is necessary to meet the diverse requirements of electric vehicles and energy systems. Focus on multiple battery chemistries CATL views lithium iron phosphate as having largely reached its limits in terms of energy density. Consequently, this chemistry is being designed more for fast charging. Nickel-manganese-cobalt systems remain relevant due to their high energy density. Additionally, CATL is developing sodium-ion batteries for low-temperature applications and stationary storage. The third generation of the Qilin battery utilizes nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry. It reportedly boasts an energy density of 280 Wh/kg. The maximum power output is 3 MW, for a battery pack weighing 625 kg. Compared to equivalent LFP systems, CATL claims the new battery is 255 kg lighter and 112 liters smaller. The new Qilin Condensed Battery is also based on NMC chemistry, featuring a nickel-rich cathode and a silicon-carbon anode. It achieves 350 Wh/kg or 760 Wh/liter. According to CATL, the titanium alloy casing is thinner and lighter. This technology is said to enable ranges of up to 1,500 km. The second generation of the Freevolt hybrid battery for plug-in hybrid models combines LFP and NCM chemistry in a hybrid structure. It is expected to enable ranges of up to 600 kilometers in all-electric mode. Large-scale sodium-ion production coming soon With the Naxtra battery, CATL is advancing sodium-ion technology. This chemistry does not use lithium and is said to offer advantages at low temperatures. According to the company, they have resolved several production issues, including problems with moisture control, gas formation, and material adhesion. Mass production on a GWh scale is planned for late 2026. Source:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/catl-unveils-six-major-innovations-multi-chemistry-systems-to-redefine-new-energy-mobility-experience-302749135.html

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MEET Battery Research Center Aims to Accelerate Battery Development with Modular Manufacturing

Battery Development /

At the MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster, the “REFlexBatt 2.0” research project has been launched. Its goal is to establish a modular pilot line for the automated production of battery cells. The three-year project is funded by the EU and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with approximately five million euros. Participating as an industry partner is the German company Safion GmbH. The planned facility is designed to produce different cell chemistries and designs in the initial development phases. The facility aims to support the increasing diversification of battery materials, such as systems based on sodium or potassium. These materials present new and unique demands on production processes. Focus on flexible processes and traceability At the heart of the project is a pilot line with interchangeable contact components. This allows process steps to be quickly adapted when switching technologies. The modular concept is also intended to prevent cross-contamination. The research center expects to achieve shorter innovation cycles and a faster transition of new cell technologies into practical applications. Thus, the individual process steps could be scaled up to industrial levels more quickly. In parallel, a track-and-trace system is being established. Each electrode receives a unique identifier that accompanies it throughout the entire production process. This includes manufacturing, cell assembly, and performance testing. Combined with process data and analytics, this system aims to determine the influence of individual parameters more precisely. Source:https://www.uni-muenster.de/MEET/en/presse/news/Start_Project_Reflexbatt.shtml

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BASF Partners with TSR on Battery Recycling in Europe

Battery Recycling /

The German chemical company BASF has entered into a partnership with German recycling company TSR Group to recycle electric vehicle batteries in Europe. The goal is to integrate processes along the value chain more closely. Initially, the focus will be on dismantling and discharging used batteries, as well as processing them into a substance known as black mass. Specific timelines or agreed-upon volumes have not been disclosed. Expansion of the battery recycling process chain This collaboration complements the existing structures of both companies. The TSR Group will contribute its existing methods for processing metal fractions and electronic components. Through the BLC joint venture with Rhenus Automotive, TSR handles tasks such as disassembling and unloading battery packs. TSR claims to have a network of over 190 locations in Europe and experience managing complex material flows. The production of black mass will subsequently take place at a BASF facility in Schwarzheide. BASF states that the collaboration also includes exploring further joint activities. These include processing metal fractions from black mass production and closer coordination of logistics for used batteries. Source:https://www.basf.com/global/de/media/news-releases/2026/04/p-26-056

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