How is sodium metal demand evolving beyond traditional chemical uses?

How is sodium metal demand evolving beyond traditional chemical uses?
Sodium metal's demand profile is shifting as sodium-ion batteries commercialize. China's sodium-ion battery output reached 1.76 GWh in 2024, nearly doubling from 0.90 GWh in 2023, with prices falling from above 0.7 yuan/Wh to a 0.45-0.65 yuan/Wh range. Storage applications led, with over 200 MWh of sodium-ion storage projects awarded in 2024, mainly in Hubei and Guangxi. System prices slid from near 1.5 yuan/Wh early in the year to below 0.8 yuan/Wh by Q4. Starting batteries for vehicles and ships are another growth niche, with nearly 10 battery makers launching products. The dominant producer holds 65,000 tons of sodium metal capacity, about 41% of China's design capacity, and remains the sole domestic maker of nuclear-grade high-purity sodium.