Sodium-ion pilot line is the next major step for Bihar Batteries in Spain. The San Sebastián-based company plans to launch pilot sodium-ion cell and storage projects in summer 2026. Then, it aims to develop a pilot cell manufacturing line in Gipuzkoa in 2027. If the plan stays on track, operations will begin in 2028. As a result, Bihar Batteries is moving from prototype development toward industrial production with a clear and timed roadmap.
The company is focusing on commercial and industrial energy storage. In particular, it sees strong potential in outdoor applications. According to Bihar Batteries, sodium-ion chemistry delivers strong thermal stability. Therefore, system designers can reduce dependence on complex cooling systems. This can lower total cost of ownership for customers. In outdoor projects, thermal management often represents a meaningful share of capital and operating costs. Because of that, Bihar sees a practical market fit for its technology.
Sodium-ion pilot line anchors Bihar Batteries’ 2027 plan
Bihar Batteries told pv magazine that it expects to launch its first pilot projects for sodium-ion cells and complete storage systems in summer 2026. These projects will test the technology in real operating conditions. At the same time, they will support the shift from lab development to industrial deployment. This step is important because pilot projects can confirm performance, safety, and system integration before larger-scale manufacturing begins.
Moreover, the company wants to speed up commercialization in the second half of 2026. To do that, it is pursuing strategic agreements with companies such as Battera and NX Technologies. Bihar’s prototypes already integrate NX Technologies’ battery management system. That system includes advanced sensors and pyrotechnic fuses. As a result, the design aims to improve safety and support faster responses to electrical incidents.
Sodium-ion pilot line builds on pouch-cell development
Bihar Batteries developed its proprietary sodium-ion cell technology with CIC energiGUNE, a technology center in the Basque Country. Together, the partners produced the company’s first pouch-cell demonstrators. These demonstrators aim to optimize energy density and capacity retention under demanding thermal conditions. In other words, Bihar is not only refining the chemistry, but also shaping a cell format that fits real storage applications.
The company expects to have a cell ready for industrialization before the end of 2026. That milestone matters because it prepares the business for the next stage of manufacturing. Once Bihar finalizes that work, it can align product development with the planned pilot line in 2027. Consequently, the transition from demonstrator cells to industrial output becomes more realistic and more structured.
Sodium-ion pilot line supports future large-scale output
The planned pilot line in Gipuzkoa will do more than produce early units. It will validate industrial processes and create the base for a future large-scale manufacturing plant. Bihar Batteries says the site could help open the path to one of Europe’s first Sodium-ion Battery gigafactories. That makes the 2027 pilot line a strategic project, not just a technical milestone.
Operations at the facility are expected to begin in 2028. At that stage, Bihar plans to use the line to confirm manufacturing workflows, process quality, and scaling methods. In addition, the company wants to show that Europe can compete in advanced battery manufacturing as well as in research and development. Therefore, the project carries regional and industrial importance beyond one company’s growth plan.
Sodium-ion pilot line gains support from funding and investors
Bihar Batteries recently strengthened its finances through a €2 million capital increase. International investors backed that round. Furthermore, the company secured funding under both rounds of Spain’s PERTE program for the renewable energy value chain. This public support adds momentum to Bihar’s industrial timeline.
The first PERTE-backed project, awarded in 2025, is worth €2 million. It focuses on battery materials manufacturing and battery pack assembly. The second project carries an €8 million budget. It will support the manufacturing and assembly of sodium-ion cells. Together, these awards provide important backing for product development and production planning.
In addition, Bihar Batteries has received institutional support from the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the Basque Government through the SPRI development agency. This support strengthens the regional foundation for the pilot line and the broader manufacturing plan.
Sodium-ion pilot line positions Bihar Batteries for 2028 operations
Bihar Batteries has laid out a clear sequence for growth. First, it plans pilot sodium-ion cell and storage projects in summer 2026. Next, it aims to establish a pilot manufacturing line in Gipuzkoa in 2027. After that, it expects the facility to begin operations in 2028. Along the way, the company is combining technology development, industrial planning, partnerships, and funding.
Overall, Bihar Batteries is positioning itself as an early European player in sodium-ion energy storage manufacturing. With pouch-cell demonstrators, a defined industrial roadmap, and support totaling millions of euros, the company is advancing toward commercial production. Most importantly, the sodium-ion pilot line remains the key link between prototype success and future large-scale manufacturing in Spain.
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