China's Ronbay Skyrockets as CATL’s Lead Sodium-Ion Cathode Supplier

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Shares of Ronbay New Energy Technology hit the daily trading limit on the stock exchange after the Chinese company became the top supplier of sodium-ion battery cathode materials to the world’s largest battery manufacturer. As of 10:25 a.m. in Shanghai, the stock was up 20 percent, trading at CNY35.40 (USD4.98).

The Ningbo-based supplier announced a long-term cooperation agreement indicating it will supply more than 60 percent of its yearly demand for cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries to the battery giant over the next four years. If the battery manufacturer’s annual procurement exceeds 500,000 tons, they will benefit from a more favorable pricing arrangement for that year. The companies will also collaborate extensively on technical development related to sodium-ion batteries and supply chain improvements.

The company highlighted that becoming the primary supplier to this international leader marks a significant recognition of its product development skills and market standing. This milestone signals that sodium-ion battery cathode materials and related products are now entering large-scale commercial use.

The major battery manufacturer introduced its new sodium-ion battery brand, Naxtra, during its tech showcase in Shanghai in April. The product lineup includes a battery designed for passenger vehicles, which is expected to reach mass production by year’s end, as well as a 24-volt start-stop integrated battery for heavy-duty trucks that began mass production in June.

Sodium-ion batteries closely resemble lithium-ion batteries but offer several advantages, including lower costs due to sodium salts as the primary electrode material, improved safety, and suitability for low-temperature conditions. However, their energy storage capacity still falls short of lithium-ion counterparts.

Projects involving sodium-ion batteries and the extraction of related raw materials are rapidly gaining attention in the Chinese investment scene, as the sector advances toward large-scale production and commercialization.