Lithium-ion cells are the fundamental technology underlying electrification in the automotive sector. The materials market for lithium-ion cells is broad and rapidly growing. This article explores cell material trends in EV batteries, and the material demand expected from commercialization of next-generation cell technologies.

Short-duration battery technologies such as Li-ion and valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries are typically used in data centers as part of uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS). Data center operators also sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) to secure long-term, stable renewable energy at fixed prices, shielding them from price volatility. However, key shifts in both the energy storage technologies adopted and the long-term methods for power procurement for data centers may evolve over time. This article from IDTechEx covers shifts in the technologies adopted and business strategies data center operators may embrace over the coming years.

The green energy market is increasingly drawing attention as sustainability motivations soar in line with regulation and environmental awareness. This article covers some of the companies exhibiting at JEC World 2026 in Paris, where IDTechEx spoke with multiple players within the composite market.

A complimentary collection of insights written by IDTechEx industry experts, covering key technology innovation trends shaping the next decade.

Join IDTechEx Technology Analyst Daniel Parr on Thursday 19th March for the expert-led webinar, "How EV Battery Material Trends Lead to Lower Prices and Increased Energy Density". Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times in one day.

Join IDTechEx Technology Analyst Daniel Parr on Thursday 12th March for the expert-led webinar, "Lithium-ion Batteries: Growing Demand, Falling Prices". Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times in one day.

Batteries are used in data centers as part of uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS) to prevent data loss and to cover critical loads. However, as AI data centers become more prevalent, as does the need to manage the volatility in their power loads. This article from IDTechEx examines emerging battery technology trends for data centers.

The US' nascent lithium production capacity makes use of direct lithium extraction technologies to localize and secure battery supply chains. However, with political tensions around Greenland rising, this article explores how the recent discovery of hard rock lithium deposits in the region could reshape American lithium production.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to grow globally, with passenger cars primarily driving the growth. EV performance is fundamentally tied to EV batteries, at cell- and pack-level. As new EV sectors are unlocked and performance targets are reached, trends in material demand across cell and pack components emerge. This article explores material trends in EV cathodes, anodes and packs that underscore the EV market as a whole.

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2026: IDTechEx Highlights Rising UK Engagement with Chinese Automakers and Asia-Pacific Industry Collaboration

Grid-scale energy storage (ES) markets are dominated by pumped hydro storage (PHS) and Li-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS). The reducing costs of Li-ion technologies continues to create challenges for other energy and battery storage technologies, such as redox flow batteries (RFBs) to penetrate short-duration grid-scale markets. However, the different demands of emerging applications such as data centers and long duration energy storage could be key for RFB developers to target. This article from IDTechEx examines the future strategies and considerations for flow battery developers and emerging applications.

Join IDTechEx Principal Technology Analyst Conrad Nichols on Tuesday 17th February for this expert webinar "Battery Storage Trends in Data Centers and Commercial & Industrial Applications". Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times during the day.

IDTechEx analyst Conrad Nichols discusses the role of batteries in data centers.

In this brief video Senior Technology Analyst Pranav Jaswani covers the advancement of direct lithium extraction processes.

Join IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Pranav Jaswani on Thursday 29th January for this expert webinar "Direct Lithium Extraction: Reshaping Global Lithium Supply Through Efficiency & Sustainability". Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times during the day.

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) technology is the most commercially deployed flow battery chemistry. However, high electrolyte costs have inhibited the wider market penetration of the technology, especially since Li-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) costs continue to fall. Vanadium electrolyte leasing models may help to reduce upfront cost to some degree, though the commercialization of cheaper, alternative flow battery chemistries will also drive global flow battery market growth. This article examines the current state of VRFBs and the evolving commercialization of alternative redox flow battery (RFB) technologies.

The growth of Li-ion batteries creates surging demand for lithium, but there is an increasing need for extraction methods that are efficient, sustainable, and versatile across different environments and regions. This article highlights how the emergence of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies will allow producers to satisfy these needs while scaling up to meet global lithium demand in the coming decade.

Global battery energy storage system (BESS) deployments continue to be deployed at a rapid pace, with surging deployments seen especially in grid-scale markets. Giant Li-ion BESS players dominate this market leaving untapped opportunities for smaller players to exploit in commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors, behind-the-meter (BTM). However, operating in this underappreciated market can be complex, given the vast end-use applications and changing regional drivers. This article highlights the emerging demand for C&I BESS technologies.

BESS developers are adopting various passive and active thermal management materials and technologies to improve the safety of their Li-ion BESS technologies. By understanding the root causes and impacts of BESS failure, battery storage players and regulators can target Li-ion BESS technology development with a greater targeted purpose, putting an emphasis on safety to reduce fire and explosion risk. A key pathway to address Li-ion BESS failures could also be with large-scale fire testing (LSFT).

IDTechEx forecasts that the critical material recovery market value will exceed US$66 billion per year by 2046, as demand, waste volume, and regulatory pressures all grow. Lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets are set to become key secondary sources of critical materials, as commercially mature recycling technology capacity scales in anticipation of growing waste volume becoming available in the 2030's.