Salt may soon become one of the most important raw materials in the global energy market as sodium-ion batteries emerge as a serious alternative to lithium-based technology.
According to Morgan Stanley, sodium-ion batteries could account for 20% of the global battery market by 2030 and expand to 37% by 2035. The investment bank expects the technology to represent around 2% of battery deployment as early as next year, marking the beginning of what some analysts describe as a major shift in energy storage.
Morgan Stanley analyst Jack Lu called the rise of sodium-ion batteries the beginning of a "New Oil Age," arguing that sodium could become a critical resource in an increasingly electrified and AI-driven world.
One of the biggest advantages of sodium-ion batteries is cost. The technology is estimated to be 30% to 40% cheaper than lithium iron phosphate batteries, while also offering stronger performance in colder temperatures. These benefits could make sodium-ion batteries particularly attractive for large-scale energy storage projects and regions with harsh climates.
The market is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. Morgan Stanley projects annual global demand for sodium-ion batteries could reach 830 gigawatt hours by 2030 before expanding to nearly 2.4 terawatt hours by 2035. Supporting this growth may require as much as $800 billion in new investments.
As artificial intelligence drives higher electricity consumption and data-center expansion, energy storage has become increasingly important. Analysts believe sodium-ion batteries could help address energy security concerns while reducing dependence on lithium supply chains.
Established battery manufacturers may hold an advantage as the technology develops. Companies with existing production capacity, strong research capabilities, and established customer relationships could quickly scale sodium-ion production and expand into higher-value applications.
In the United States, sodium is abundant and inexpensive, offering potential benefits for domestic manufacturing. Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco noted that General Motors has established an early position in the market through its partnership with Peak Energy to develop next-generation sodium-ion batteries.
The agreement gives General Motors exclusive manufacturing rights in the U.S., with potential applications extending beyond energy storage into defense and mobility sectors. Commercial deployment for grid-scale storage projects is expected to begin after 2028.
While lithium remains the dominant battery technology today, growing interest in sodium-ion solutions suggests the industry could be entering a new phase. If adoption continues to accelerate, sodium may evolve from an ordinary industrial material into a strategic commodity at the center of the future energy economy.
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