Hard Carbon Anode Capacity for Sodium-Ion Batteries Expands Rapidly as Multiple Companies Advance Gigawatt-Scale Projects

Hard carbon, currently the dominant anode material for sodium-ion batteries, is accelerating its industrialization in response to growing demand from energy storage and electric two-wheeler markets. Shengquan Group has already commissioned a 10,000-ton-per-year hard carbon anode production line. Its biomass-based and resin-based products have passed certification by leading cell manufacturers and have begun large-scale supply to the sodium-ion battery markets for energy storage and two-wheelers. Beijing Zhongcheng Xintou Energy Technology Co., Ltd. has launched a project in Fuping County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, with a total investment of RMB 2.1 billion. The project plans to build annual capacities of 300,000 tons of coconut-shell pre-carbonized material and 20,000 tons of hard carbon anode material, targeting applications in energy storage and power batteries. The company is wholly owned by Zhongkai Xintou (Shandong) Construction & Development Co., Ltd., and its ultimate controller is the state-owned asset system of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province. Additionally, Sichuan Baisige recently completed its environmental impact assessment disclosure and plans to expand its hard carbon anode capacity by 15,000 tons per year. The project is progressing steadily. Currently, the sodium-ion battery anode material market features a diversified supply landscape, with mainstream routes including biomass-based, coal-based, and resin-based hard carbon—each possessing distinct technical characteristics. Downstream applications are primarily focused on energy storage stations and electric two-wheelers, with multiple cell makers actively accelerating sodium-ion battery adoption. On the policy front, the exemption of sodium-ion batteries from consumption tax has been extended through the end of 2028, further expanding market potential. The industry is now in the early stages of capacity expansion, experiencing short-term supply-demand tightness. However, as numerous 10,000-ton-scale projects come online, large-scale capacity release is expected in the medium to long term. Technical capabilities, raw material security, and customer certifications will become key competitive differentiators. A coexistence of multiple carbon-source pathways is anticipated to shape the industry’s long-term development trajectory.