CBAK Energy signs 12 GWh sodium-ion battery cell project deal in Nanjing

China-based battery maker CBAK Energy has signed an investment agreement with the Nanjing Gaochun Economic Development Zone for a project that would add 12 GWh of annual cell production capacity in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The project covers the research, development and manufacture of large cylindrical sodium-ion cells and integrated battery systems. CBAK plans to advance it in the second half of 2027, subject to securing financing.

The production lines will be designed to make either sodium-ion or lithium-ion large cylindrical cells, and the company will pick the chemistry based on market conditions and customer demand. Beyond cell manufacturing, the project would cover module and battery pack integration. Development would proceed in phases based on financing, customer demand and project readiness.

The agreement advances a 12 GWh sodium-ion capacity plan that CBAK outlined alongside internal test results for its 32140 NH-7Ah sodium-ion cell, which uses a sodium iron phosphate pyrophosphate (NFPP) cathode. In internal laboratory testing under specified conditions, the cell reached a 90% state of charge within 15 minutes and kept capacity retention above 95% during continuous discharge at 15C. It retained 87.68% of its discharge capacity at -40° C relative to its 25° C baseline. Based on internal cycle-life testing and trend analysis, CBAK projects the cell will deliver at least 10,000 cycles under its specified protocols.

Separately, CBAK plans to add 6 GWh of annual cell capacity at its existing Nanjing facility by the end of 2026. That facility has 4.5 GWh of annual capacity for Model 32140 cells, so the expansion would bring its total to 10.5 GWh. The company is considering two production lines for its Model 60150 large cylindrical cells, but it may instead install one Model 32140 line and one Model 60150 line, citing strong demand for the 32140 cells.

“The 12 GWh investment agreement advances our plans for sodium-ion production. Designing the lines to produce lithium-ion cells as well would give us more options to serve customers as demand develops in both markets,” said Zhiguang Hu, Chief Executive Officer of CBAK Energy.

Source: CBAK Energy