New Partnership Advances Sodium-Ion Manufacturing in Spain

Sodium-ion manufacturing in Spain is gaining momentum as Bihar Batteries and NX Technologies deepen their collaboration. The partnership moves Bihar closer to commercial sales and supports a more local battery supply chain in Europe. Moreover, the project links sodium-ion cell development with advanced battery management systems, which are essential for safe and efficient products.

Bihar Batteries, based in Spain, has already produced sodium-ion cell prototypes with promising results. The company developed its first prototype with CIC energiGUNE, a research centre with more than 13 years of sodium-ion experience. Now, Bihar is moving from prototype work toward commercialisation. In parallel, NX Technologies brings automotive-grade battery electronics that can help speed this next phase.

Sodium-ion manufacturing in Spain moves toward commercialisation

The new partnership gives Bihar Batteries a practical route to market. NX Technologies, based in San Sebastián, specialises in power electronics for electric mobility. It will supply its battery management system, or BMS, for Bihar’s Sodium-ion Battery prototypes and future products. As a result, Bihar can combine local cell development with a proven electronics platform.

This matters because battery management systems play a central role in battery performance and safety. NX says its BMS includes advanced sensors that improve system protection. In addition, it uses pyrotechnic fuses that respond quickly to electrical faults. These features support product quality as Bihar prepares for wider deployment.

NX also says it has developed the first European BMS that can monitor up to 18 cells in series. According to the company, this design can reduce system costs by about 30% compared with other commercial solutions. Furthermore, the BMS uses a chemistry-agnostic design. Therefore, it can work with multiple battery chemistries, including sodium-ion cells.

Sodium-ion manufacturing in Spain benefits from local materials

Bihar Batteries wants to build more than a battery product line. The company aims to create a local industry around sodium batteries. That goal fits well with wider European efforts to strengthen regional manufacturing and secure battery supply chains. At the same time, sodium-ion technology offers a strong opportunity for local sourcing.

Bihar plans to source sodium from salt. It also wants to use local raw materials such as wood to produce hard carbon. Hard carbon is widely recognised as one of the most promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Because of this, the company’s materials strategy supports both innovation and regional value creation.

The broader market context also supports this push. Sodium-ion battery technology has become more relevant as interest in alternative battery chemistries grows. In addition, major manufacturers have increased activity in this segment. Earlier this week, CATL secured what has been described as the world’s largest sodium-ion battery order with HyperStrong. The total volume reached 60 GWh. That figure shows growing confidence in sodium-ion for energy storage applications.

Sodium-ion manufacturing in Spain gains support from public programmes

Bihar plans to begin product sales by the end of 2026. To support that goal, the company also plans to launch its first pilot production plant. Public backing is helping to make that next step possible. The Basque Government, the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, and Spain’s PERTE renewable energy programme are all supporting the effort.

In addition, Bihar’s pilot facility is one of 34 projects selected under Spain’s RENOVAL programme. This programme supports the manufacturing of essential equipment and components for renewable energy technologies. It is funded through REPowerEU, which adds further strategic value to the project. Therefore, Bihar’s expansion is not an isolated effort. Instead, it forms part of a broader industrial plan tied to clean energy and local production.

Sodium-ion manufacturing in Spain and Europe’s battery strategy

The Bihar-NX partnership reflects a wider shift in Europe’s battery landscape. More European companies are now exploring sodium-ion technology. As a result, the region is building expertise across materials, cells, electronics, and manufacturing. Spain is becoming part of that trend through partnerships that connect research, industry, and public support.

CIC energiGUNE’s role in Bihar’s early prototype work also shows how research organisations can help move new battery technologies toward market readiness. Then, industrial partners like NX can add the systems needed for real-world applications. Together, these steps create a clearer path from laboratory development to commercial production.

Overall, the collaboration between Bihar Batteries and NX Technologies marks a significant step for sodium-ion manufacturing in Spain. It combines prototype progress, advanced BMS integration, local materials, and public support. Most importantly, it sets a clear timeline, with product sales targeted for the end of 2026. For Spain’s battery sector, this partnership signals steady progress toward a local sodium-ion manufacturing base.

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