Surging battery demand is creating significant opportunities for raw material suppliers, particularly those adapting to battery-specific needs. Along the battery value chain, players are increasingly pursuing vertical integration strategies to capture greater value.

Lithium-ion batteries are a growing technology worldwide in line with the demand for electricity and regulations to lower emissions.

Self-healing materials have the ability to extend the lifespan of mission critical components such as energy storage devices, sensors and soft robotics. This article looks at some of the key materials developments, pain points and potential growth opportunities for self-healing materials in these emerging markets.

Sodium-ion batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion, with advantages in mineral abundance, system compatibility, and safety. They provide a cost-effective, scalable solution with lower material costs and reduced supply chain risks. Despite lower energy density, sodium-ion cells benefit from existing manufacturing infrastructure. Safety benefits include reduced fire risks and enhanced thermal stability. Key strategies for success include improving energy densities, competing on total cost of ownership, and targeting niche performance areas such as low temperature and high-power applications.

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence, which refers to the process of computers drawing conclusions from a dataset, which can be a powerful tool across various sectors, including the battery market.

Cars that wirelessly charge on the move, AI assistants to schedule in-vehicle meetings, and radar technology for advancing safety all boast the growing intelligence of automotive technologies. IDTechEx's portfolio of Electric Vehicles and Robotics & Autonomy market research reports showcase the latest technologies bringing an engaging and forward-thinking future of driving into reality.

This article discusses battery innovations in China and the role next-generation battery technologies play in improving battery performance and in enabling Europe and North America to build competitive battery industries.

Thursday 22 May 2025 - IDTechEx Discusses the Hyperactive Li-ion Batteries Recycling Market: Key Trends, Technologies, and Outlook; An introduction to Li-ion battery demand, LIB circular economy and recycling; A snapshot into key Li-ion battery recycling market trends and key player activity; Key trends in LIB recycling technologies, including cathode, direct, graphite anode, and binder recycling; A keynote on LIB Battery Regulation in the EU; IDTechEx's outlook and conclusions on the global Li-ion battery recycling market

Wednesday 14 May 2025 - The Status and Role of Next-Generation Li-ion Battery Technologies; Next generation anode materials such as silicon, lithium and anode-free designs; Innovations in cathode active materials and their manufacture; Li-S developments; Key cost and resource consideration from advanced Li-ion battery chemistries; IDTechEx's outlook for advanced Li-ion technology

AI and machine learning methods can be used across a battery's entire life, from material discovery and cell testing to second-life assessment, to enhance new developments and diagnostic capabilities.

Tuesday 13 May 2025 - Are Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Ready for Large Scale Commercialization?; An overview of emerging MOF-based technologies approaching commercialization; Material choices and considerations for MOFs in key applications, such as carbon capture and water harvesting; Scaling MOF production for industrial applications; Market status and outlook for MOF demand based on IDTechEx forecasts

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.