Starting January 2026, UNIGRID Inc., a U.S.-based developer of ultra-safe sodium-ion batteries, has commenced commercial-scale international shipments of its NCO sodium-ion cells. Leveraging critical transport certifications and a fab-less, foundry-subscription manufacturing model, the company has become the first sodium-ion battery provider outside of China to export this chemistry at volume.
UNIGRID’s approach bypasses the traditional gigafactory model by partnering with third-party foundries. Finished Grade A cells are loaded directly into 40-foot ocean containers for delivery, enabling faster scaling with lower capital expenditure. Following the successful completion of UN38.3 transport certification in mid-2025, the company advanced rapidly from pilot-scale production to full commercial export levels by year-end.
These initial exports represented a first for international ports, which previously handled only conventional lithium-ion batteries. Port authorities and shippers navigated new processes and regulatory declarations to accommodate the emerging sodium-ion technology. With certification and logistics pathways now established, UNIGRID is positioned to begin fulfilling its off-take agreements in 2026.
These commercial shipments cover multiple target markets, including utilities, renewable energy integration projects, and off-grid power solutions. UNIGRID reports that its cell design offers improved safety performance and reduced raw material costs compared with conventional lithium-ion systems.
“This milestone validates a path for us to bring safe, scalable NCO sodium-ion technology to global markets,” said Darren H. S. Tan, CEO and co-founder of UNIGRID. “Through collaboration with our foundry partners, we’ve proven that advanced battery chemistries can be commercialized without massive capital buildouts.”
Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the University of California, San Diego, UNIGRID delivers low-cost sodium-ion batteries for both energy storage and motive applications. The company’s technology stems from Ph.D. research by Dr. Tan and Dr. Erik A. Wu, and it aims to expand access to a safe, cost-effective alternative to lithium-based systems.
Source: PR Newswire
