BatteryTech News & Updates — 2026 #3

January 18, 2026

Uncategorized

Hello Battery-Tech community and professionals. Here is your weekly update of major developments in the global battery industry, energy storage, and EV market.

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⭕ BATTERY MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY

🔋 Argylium Formed to Advance Solid-State Batteries in Europe

Argylium, a joint venture between Axens Group, Syensqo, and IFPEN, will develop and scale high-performance sulfide electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries. The company will utilize Syensqo’s La Rochelle pilot line in France to produce solid electrolytes. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/argylium-formed-to-advance-solid-state-batteries-in-europe/

🔋 PSI Advances Cost-Effective Solid-State Battery Fabrication

Researchers at PSI have developed a low-temperature, low-pressure sintering process and an ultrathin LiF coating for argyrodite solid electrolytes, achieving 75% capacity retention after 1,500 cycles. This innovation could lower costs and improve durability for solid-state batteries. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/psi-advances-cost-effective-solid-state-battery-fabrication/

🔋 Tailan Raises $57M to Scale Safe+ Solid-State Batteries

Tailan New Energy secured over 400 million yuan (≈$57M) in a B+ funding round led by Changan Automobile. The funds will support its first mass-production line and further R&D of the Safe+ solid-state battery platform for EV and storage markets. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/tailan-secures-57m-to-scale-solid-state-battery-production/

🔋 POSCO Future M Targets All-Solid-State Production by 2030

POSCO Future M plans to mass-produce all-solid-state batteries by 2030, leveraging ultra-thin cathode coatings and an integrated materials chain to boost energy density and reduce costs. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/posco-future-m-aims-solid-state-battery-production-by-2030/

⚡ Svolt Launches 3.5-Gen Pulsed Charging Technology

Svolt Energy introduced ion oscillation pulse charging, which reduces full charge time by 25%. Mass production is set for Q3 2026, targeting integration into next-generation EV platforms. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/svolts-3-5-gen-pulsed-charging-cuts-full-charge-time-by-25/

🔋 Svolt Unveils 80 kWh PHEV Pack and Semi-Solid Battery Updates

At Battery Day, Svolt introduced the Fortress 2.0 80 kWh PHEV pack with 6% higher energy density and 6C ultra-fast charging. The company also reported progress on semi-solid battery R&D and charging technology. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/svolt-unveils-80-kwh-phev-pack-semi-solid-battery-advances/

🏭 ANDRITZ Schuler Begins 1.5 GW Battery Cell Formation Line in Germany

ANDRITZ Schuler has started a 1.5 GW cell formation line in Germany, producing rapid-charge cylindrical booster cells with over 50,000 channels and real-time data tracing for a premium automaker. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/andritz-schuler-begins-1-5-gw-battery-cell-formation-line/

🔋 Dongfeng Trials 350 Wh/kg Solid-State Batteries in Subzero Tests

Dongfeng began extreme cold-weather testing of prototypes equipped with 350 Wh/kg solid-state batteries, conducting over 70 tests between −40°C and −30°C to validate safety, performance, and a claimed >1,000 km range. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/dongfeng-trials-solid-state-batteries-in-subzero-cold-tests/

🔋 UNIGRID Begins Global Commercial Sodium-Ion Cell Shipments

UNIGRID started commercial-scale exports of NCO sodium-ion cells outside China in January 2026, using a fab-less model and UN38.3 certification to support offtake agreements for utilities and renewables. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/unigrid-begins-global-commercial-sodium-ion-cell-shipments/

🔋 Europe’s First Industrial-Scale Sodium-Ion Cathode Chain Announced

Sweden’s Altris and Draslovka will convert a Kolín facility to launch Europe’s first industrial-scale sodium-ion cathode material line, targeting 350 tonnes of CAM (175 MWh) annually by late 2026. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/europes-first-industrial-scale-sodium-ion-cathode-chain/

📊 China MIIT Accelerates Solid-State Batteries and L3 Autonomy

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology unveiled a 2026 NEV strategy to fast-track all-solid-state battery prototypes toward GWh-scale production, expand Level 3 autonomous driving trials, and increase consumer incentives. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/china-miit-accelerates-solid-state-batteries-and-l3-autonomy/

⭕ MINING & BATTERY MATERIALS

🔋 Lilac and Traxys Sign 10-Year Lithium Offtake Agreement

Lilac Solutions and Traxys North America signed a binding 10-year deal for 50,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate from Lilac’s Great Salt Lake Phase 1 plant, using Gen 5 ion-exchange technology with pricing tied to market indices. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/lilac-traxys-sign-binding-10-year-lithium-offtake-agreement/

🔋 E3 Lithium Ships Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate Samples

E3 Lithium’s Alberta demonstration plant is shipping 0.5-kg battery-grade lithium carbonate samples to global partners, validating its Direct Lithium Extraction process as it advances FEED and feasibility studies. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/e3-lithium-ships-battery-grade-lithium-carbonate-to-partners/

📊 China Cuts VAT Rebates and Lithium Prices Surge

Beijing announced the phase-out of VAT export rebates on battery products, prompting exporters to accelerate shipments and pushing lithium carbonate prices in China to their highest since November 2023. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/china-cuts-battery-vat-rebates-lithium-prices-surge-9/

📊 CME Lithium Hydroxide Futures Hit Record Weekly Volume

CME’s lithium hydroxide futures opened 2026 with a record weekly volume of 8,296 tonnes, driven by strong contango, supply-chain restocking, and rising energy-storage demand. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/cme-lithium-hydroxide-futures-hit-record-weekly-volume/

🔋 CATL Secures Large LFP Supply and Invests in Capacity

CATL secured 3.05 million tonnes of LFP from Ningbo Ronbay under a RMB120 billion 2026–2031 deal and is investing RMB3.18 billion in Fulin to build 500,000-ton LFP capacity, strengthening its supply chain. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/catl-secures-3-05m-tons-of-lfp-from-ronbay-invests-in-fulin/

⭕ MARKET & BUSINESS NEWS

🔋 CATL Opens Middle East New-Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh

CATL opened the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh, a 7,000 sq m facility offering diagnostics, maintenance, recycling, training, and full-lifecycle battery support for the region. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/catl-opens-middle-easts-largest-new-energy-aftermarket-facility-in-riyadh/

🔋 Morrow Batteries Enters Final Stage of Series Production

Morrow Batteries is moving to full-scale series production with operational lines and imminent deliveries, consolidating its Arendal and Grimstad facilities and closing its Oslo office. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/morrow-batteries-enters-final-stage-of-series-production/

🏭 Nash Energy Unveils 2 GWh Automated Battery Pack Line in India

Nash Energy launched a 2 GWh fully automated prismatic pack production line in Bengaluru, the first phase of a 10 GWh plan to supply BESS, EVs, and commercial vehicles with Made-in-India packs. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/nash-energy-unveils-2-gwh-automated-battery-pack-line-in-india/

🚗 Global EV Sales Rise 20% to 20.7 Million Units in 2025

Global EV sales reached 20.7 million units in 2025, up 20% year-over-year, led by China. Europe grew 33% while North America declined 4%. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/global-ev-sales-rise-20-to-20-7-million-units-in-2025/

🌍 China and EU Agree Price Undertakings for EV Exports

China and the EU reached WTO-compliant price undertakings for Chinese passenger battery EV exports, replacing extra tariffs and supporting more stable trade relations. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/china-and-eu-strike-price-undertakings-for-ev-exports/

📊 EU Considers Extending Tariffs to Hybrids and BEVs

Brussels is considering extending 35.3% duties on Chinese electric vehicles to hybrids after a 155% surge in imports, following an anti-subsidy probe and recent price undertakings with China. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/eu-considers-extending-tariffs-on-chinese-hybrids-and-bevs/

🔋 Ford in Talks with BYD for Potential Hybrid Battery Supply

Ford is discussing sourcing batteries from BYD for hybrid models built outside the U.S. The companies already collaborate on electric Broncos in China, and Ford plans a U.S. LFP battery plant in Michigan. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/ford-in-talks-with-byd-for-potential-hybrid-battery-supply/

🔋 Volvo Cars Halts NOVO Energy Project While Seeking Partner

Volvo paused NOVO Energy site preparations and cut 75 roles while searching for a technology partner to enable full-scale in-house battery cell production. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/volvo-cars-halts-novo-energy-project-while-seeking-partner/

📊 Automakers Face Profit and Investment Strain Amid Slow Growth

Hyundai executive Yang Jin-su warned that legacy automakers must defend short-term profits while investing in next-generation mobility amid U.S. tariffs, subdued demand, and rising competition. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/automakers-face-profit-investment-strain-amid-slow-growth/

📊 China’s EV Battery Installations Up 40.4% to 769.7 GWh in 2025

China’s EV battery installations reached 769.7 GWh in 2025 (+40.4%), with LFP at 625.3 GWh. Full-year cell production exceeded 1,755.6 GWh and exports rose 50.7%. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/chinas-ev-battery-installations-up-40-4-to-769-7-gwh-in-2025/

📊 Top Battery Makers’ Market Share in China in 2025

In 2025, CATL led Chinese EV battery installations with 333.6 GWh (43.4%), BYD 165.8 GWh (21.6%), and CALB 53.6 GWh (7%), while Gotion and Eve Energy also increased share. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/top-battery-makers-market-share-in-china-in-2025-catl-43-42-byd-21-58/

⭕ RECYCLING & CIRCULAR ECONOMY

♻️ China Unveils New EV Battery Recycling Oversight Rules

China’s MIIT will implement new rules on April 1 requiring a national EV battery tracking database, low-toxicity materials, standardized labeling, and expanded recycling stations to strengthen end-of-life traceability and responsibility. Read more: https://battery-tech.net/battery-markets-news/china-unveils-new-ev-battery-recycling-oversight-rules/