In a world where energy security increasingly intertwines with national security, the global battery supply chain has become a critical focal point of international tensions. As trade barriers rise and geopolitical rivalries intensify, sodium-ion battery technology emerges as a strategic alternative that promises greater self-reliance and reduced vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions.

The multitude of battery chemistries available for different EV types means that a variety of safety materials to accommodate their requirements are also necessary. IDTechEx's VP of Research, Dr James Edmondson, presented at the Plastics in Electric & Autonomous Vehicles Conference 2025 - SPE Automotive Division on topics including evolving vehicle technology and materials, while Technology Analyst, Mika Takahashi, covered the wider EV sector.

Thursday 15 May 2025 - How and Why the Ion Exchange Membrane Market Is Preparing for Growth in the Coming Next Decade; An overview of ion exchange membrane materials and their common applications; Key performance requirements and material development trends; Growth markets for ion exchange membrane technology; An overview of the state of the ion exchange membrane market in 2025 and IDTechEx's 10-year market outlook

In the past 5 years, the commercial perception of fusion energy has shifted considerably and is now increasingly seen as a key component of the green energy transition. But what factors led to this shift, and what does a realistic future for the fusion energy industry look like?

This article analyzes the significant impact of recent US tariffs on the EV charging market, affecting both the physical charging equipment and the broader electrical infrastructure required to support it.

IDTechEx forecasts the Li-ion battery recycling market to grow to US$52B in value by 2045, given the increasing availability of retired Li-ion batteries over the coming decades. Key sources of feedstock will include electric vehicle batteries, and Li-ion batteries from energy storage systems, consumer electronics, alongside manufacturing scrap.

Wednesday 30 April 2025 - Sodium-Ion Batteries: Navigating the Path to Commercial Maturity. The following aspects will be addressed: Impact of historically low lithium prices on sodium-ion's economic viability; Alternative value propositions beyond cost, including material availability and application-specific advantages; Sodium-ion battery players and commercialisation efforts; and IDTechEx outlook for sodium-ion batteries by 2030

The lithium metal battery market is gaining ever-growing interest due to the enhanced energy density of lithium when compared with graphite anodes. This could be particularly important within one of the main applications for this technology, the electric vehicle market, which currently represents the largest sector for global battery demand.

Fire safety continues to be a key topic for electric vehicles (EVs) as the market continues to grow. In this article, IDTechEx discusses the different types of EV battery chemistry and its impact on thermal runaway safety.

Lithium-sulfur is already seeing development across multiple continents and is expected to achieve mass production by 2033. IDTechEx predicts that by 2035, the lithium-sulfur market will exceed US$1.3 billion.

Battery raw materials are in the spotlight as lithium-ion demand surges alongside growing emphasis on sustainability. Variations in material emission intensities suggest that major decarbonization opportunities exist in raw materials sourcing.

Second-life EV battery assessments can be carried out using diagnostic tools and software, with some newer approaches taking just ten minutes instead of a few hours with regular cycling methods. Second-life battery repurposing and accurate battery health assessments will become increasingly important alongside the growing availability of end-of-life (EOL) EV batteries.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are heralded as a transformative innovation in energy storage (ES), offering numerous advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. These benefits position SSBs as a cornerstone of the next generation of battery technologies, with the potential to reshape industries reliant on ES.

The global market for Li-ion battery cells alone is forecast to exceed US$400 billion by 2035. This article highlights the importance of cathode materials and next-generation Li-ion technologies in improving battery performance and diversifying Li-ion battery material supply chains.

Thursday 17 April 2025; Self-Healing Materials: Commercial Success or Academic Novelty? An introduction to self-healing materials and mechanisms; Materials science considerations for self-healing materials; Assessment of the applications driving self-healing materials R&D and the likelihood of commercial success

In the first of this new series, IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Shazan Siddiqi caught up with Darren Tan, CEO of UNIGRID Battery, at Cambridge EnerTech's International Battery Seminar 2025 in Orlando, to discuss the evolving battery landscape.

As demand continues to grow and supply risks swell, a market for critical material recovery technology that enables recycling from end-of-life products and waste is rapidly emerging.

Wednesday 9 April 2025 - Driving E-Mobility Forward: How EVs Are Shining a Spotlight on Aerogels; An introduction to aerogels; Factors and regulations driving the increased focus on fire safety in EVs; Comparison of aerogel material types as EV fire protection materials and comparison with other fire protection materials; Market status and outlook for future market share of aerogels in EV applications

Sodium-ion batteries share similar electrochemical principles with lithium-ion but differ in cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes, with ongoing development in cost-effective sodium-based alternatives. While sodium-ion technology faces challenges in achieving cost-competitiveness with lithium-ion, advancements in engineering and material innovation could enable it to serve as a complementary solution in specific applications.

Solid-state batteries are emerging as a promising solution for advanced energy storage, offering a unique balance of performance characteristics that make them suitable for a wide range of applications. However, their widespread adoption will depend on overcoming challenges such as scalability, cost reduction, and addressing interfacial issues between the solid electrolyte and electrodes.