LG Energy Solution is moving forward with building a pilot production line for sodium-ion batteries at its Nanjing facility in China’s Jiangsu Province, as reported recently. The company aims to complete the line and start producing sample cells within this year to evaluate the potential for scaling up sodium-ion battery manufacturing.

Initial R&D for these next-generation batteries will be conducted at LG Energy Solution’s Daejeon Technology Research Institute in South Korea. The first prototype, known as Sample A, will be manufactured at the firm’s Ochang plant in North Chungcheong Province. Later stages—Sample B (a finished battery) and Sample C (a product designed for mass production)—are scheduled to be produced at the Nanjing site.

China has taken a leading role in the sodium-ion battery sector, backed by a mature supply chain for essential components like cathode materials. By localizing production in China, LG Energy Solution seeks to capitalize on these regional advantages. The company noted that it is still assessing different approaches to setting up the pilot line and has not yet finalized specific plans.

Sodium-ion batteries initially gained notice in mid-2021 when a major Chinese battery maker introduced its first-generation product amid soaring lithium prices, which were driven by robust electric vehicle demand. Although lithium prices later fell, renewed interest in sodium-ion technology has emerged following recent increases in lithium carbonate costs. Industry projections indicate that sodium-ion batteries could see wider adoption by 2026 in areas such as battery swapping, passenger and commercial vehicles, and stationary energy storage.

In South Korea, LG Energy Solution continues to rank among the world’s leading battery suppliers. According to data from a local market research firm, the company deployed 96.9 gigawatt-hours of power batteries from January to November 2025—an 11.1% year-on-year increase—capturing a 9.3% market share during that period.