Sodium-ion Battery electrode output climbed sharply in May 2026. Both cathode and hard carbon anode materials posted strong month-on-month and year-on-year gains. Moreover, leading producers ran at very high utilization rates as order books stayed full. At the same time, suppliers prepared new capacity for Q3. As a result, the sodium-ion battery materials market is moving toward a larger scale in the second half of 2026.
Sodium-Ion Battery Electrode Output in May 2026
In May, sodium-ion battery cathode material production increased 17% from April and 21% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, sodium-ion battery anode material production rose 26% month on month and 154% year on year. These gains show that demand stayed strong across the electrode supply chain. In addition, top-tier manufacturers continued to deliver orders at a fast pace.
Capacity utilization remained very high in May. Therefore, the market saw a clear trend of rising output with steady pricing support. Furthermore, Q3 expansion plans became more visible. This matters because new projects can support higher shipment volumes in the second half of 2026.
Sodium-Ion Battery Electrode Cathode Trends
Polyanion route keeps its lead
The cathode segment remained led by the polyanion route in May. It accounted for about 87% of total output. In particular, NFPP increased its share by 5 percentage points from April. Consequently, NFPP strengthened its leading position in sodium-ion battery cathode materials.
Leading cathode producers shipped large volumes through the month. At the same time, they advanced next-generation product launches. These newer products delivered better overall performance. Therefore, sodium-ion batteries gained stronger competitiveness in more applications.
Q3 expansion plans support future supply
Major cathode manufacturers also moved ahead with capacity preparation. Because of this, the market expects a meaningful release of sodium-ion battery cathode capacity in Q3. This expansion should support stronger output in the months ahead. Looking into June, cathode production is expected to rise another 1% from May and 24% from a year earlier.
Raw material costs shape pricing
NFPP raw material costs increased again in May. Iron phosphate prices moved higher. In addition, sodium salts such as monosodium phosphate and sodium pyrophosphate also rose sharply. Even though producers improved process efficiency and scale, higher input costs lifted overall production costs. Therefore, the market expects NFPP prices to trend upward to reflect those changes.
In product mix terms, layered oxide cathodes represented a smaller share of output. Meanwhile, market concentration increased further. Demand for layered oxide products remained focused on niche uses such as two-wheelers and start-stop power supplies.
Sodium-Ion Battery Electrode Anode Trends
Hard carbon output grows rapidly
Hard carbon anode materials recorded even faster growth in May. Output rose 26% month on month and 154% year on year. This strong performance matched the momentum seen on the cathode side. Moreover, leading hard carbon producers continued to ramp capacity while keeping a solid flow of orders.
Some producers used toll processing to support supply during the ramp-up phase. In addition, several companies brought fresh hard carbon capacity online in recent weeks. As these new lines scale up, the sodium-ion battery anode market should receive a notable supply boost in Q3.
Premium products keep strong pricing
High-performance hard carbon products maintained a clear premium in May. Materials with strong cycle life, low-temperature performance, and solid C-rate capability remained in demand for energy storage and start-stop applications. In most cases, these products sold above 30,000 to 40,000 yuan per metric ton. Meanwhile, top-end grades reached 50,000 to 60,000 yuan per metric ton.
This price spread highlights performance-based pricing in the market. In other words, buyers continue to value better material quality and stronger application fit. Looking ahead, June anode production is projected to increase 9% from May and 128% from a year earlier.
Sodium-Ion Battery Electrode Market Outlook for Q3 2026
Overall, the sodium-ion battery electrode market showed three clear trends in May. First, leading enterprises captured most of the order growth and expansion activity. Second, higher upstream raw material prices supported firmer cathode pricing. Third, the pace of capacity expansion accelerated as companies prepared for Q3.
In addition, the technology mix became clearer. The polyanion route strengthened its dominance, while layered oxide cathodes occupied a narrower space. As a result, the sodium-ion battery supply chain now has a more defined structure. That clarity can support faster commercialization and better planning across the market.
Looking ahead to June and Q3 2026, the market appears set for continued growth. New capacity should gradually come online. At the same time, demand remains healthy across key applications. Therefore, sodium-ion battery electrode output could keep rising through the second half of the year. With stronger production, visible expansion, and premium product demand, the sector enters its next growth phase with solid momentum.
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