Spanish start-up Bihar Batteries to commercialize sodium-ion batteries in 2026

Founded in 2023 in Donostia–San Sebastián, Bihar Batteries is a Spanish startup developing sodium-ion batteries for commercial and industrial applications. The company’s technology relies on abundant, locally available raw materials in Europe, offering significant advantages in supply chain security. Bihar’s sodium-ion batteries are also safer, operate across a wide temperature range (−20 °C to 60 °C), support faster charging and discharging, and enable a 100% depth of discharge.

Bihar has already developed its first prototype. “We have successfully tested it internally, and we will proceed to validate it with partner companies at the end of this year,” a company spokesperson told pv magazine.

The start-up is developing its own sodium-ion cell technology in collaboration with CIC energiGUNE, an internationally renowned research center in the field of energy storage with over 13 years of experience in sodium-ion research. “Together, we have successfully developed our first sodium-ion cell prototypes, with very promising results,” the company added.

Bihar Batteries’ first pilot plant is among the 34 projects selected under Spain’s Renoval program, which supports the manufacture of key equipment and components for the technological and industrial development of renewable energy as part of RePowerEU. “We are currently working with Basque manufacturing partners to expand production starting in 2026,” the company said.

Beyond sourcing sodium from salt, Bihar Batteries also aims to use local raw materials such as wood to produce hard carbon, another essential battery component used as the anode. “Our goal is to create a local industry around sodium batteries,” the company emphasized.

Following its prototyping phase, Bihar plans to begin commercialization next year. The startup has already raised its first round of private investment in 2024 and aims to secure an additional funding round before the end of this year. It has also received support from the Hazitek grant, funded by the Basque Business and Industrial Development Agency (SPRI), and the Txekintek Ekintzaile grant, co-financed by SPRI and the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council.

From pv magazine Spain