当锂价冲上高位，钠电“备胎”火速上位

Core Viewpoint - The sodium-ion battery industry is experiencing a significant surge due to skyrocketing lithium carbonate prices, which have reached as high as 179,000 yuan/ton, prompting a shift towards sodium-ion technology as a cost-effective alternative [1][4][8]. Industry Overview - The sodium-ion battery industry is marked as the "year of industrialization" in 2026, with companies like CATL and BYD leading the charge alongside emerging players focused on sodium technology [2][5]. - As of 2025, China's sodium-ion battery shipments exceeded 3.7 GWh, indicating the industry's transition from laboratory to commercial viability [1]. Market Dynamics - The rising prices of lithium carbonate are driving inquiries from clients and investors, leading to increased production efforts in sodium-ion materials [2]. - The sodium-ion battery's economic viability becomes apparent when lithium carbonate prices exceed 130,000 to 150,000 yuan/ton, making it a competitive option for mid-range power and energy storage applications [4]. Technological and Production Challenges - The sodium-ion battery industry faces significant challenges, including production capacity bottlenecks and the need to improve performance metrics to match lithium batteries [10]. - Current sodium-ion batteries have energy densities ranging from 100 to 160 Wh/kg, while lithium iron phosphate batteries achieve 160 to 200 Wh/kg, highlighting the performance gap [10]. Supply Chain and Material Availability - The supply chain for sodium-ion batteries is still maturing, with key materials like hard carbon and electrolyte systems not yet reaching the stability of lithium battery supply chains [12]. - The fluctuation in lithium carbonate prices poses a risk to the cost advantage of sodium-ion batteries, as demonstrated by a recent drop of 8.99% in lithium futures [11]. Standardization Efforts - The establishment of a comprehensive standardization framework for sodium-ion batteries is underway, with multiple national and industry standards being developed to guide the industry [3][15]. - Current standards are insufficient, particularly in areas such as safety, performance requirements, and testing methods for specific sodium-ion products [14]. Future Outlook - The sodium-ion battery industry is seen as a complementary technology to lithium batteries, focusing on specific applications where its unique advantages can be leveraged [12][8]. - The ongoing development of standards and improved production capabilities will be crucial for the industry's growth and acceptance in the market [15].