Jiangsu Zhongna Energy Technology

Jiangsu Zhongna Energy Technology (Zoolnasm), established in January 2021 and headquartered in Suzhou, is a key emerging player in the sodium-ion battery sector. The company was founded by Xia Gang and is scientifically led by Professor Zhao Jianqing, who brings 15 years of dedicated research and development experience in sodium-ion battery technology. The firm has successfully secured multiple funding rounds, including a Series A2 round that brought its total Series A financing to nearly CNY 300 million (approximately $42 million), with investors like Country Garden Venture Capital, Cowin Capital, Tiande Investment, and Saize Capital participating.

Zoolnasm focuses on the research, development, and manufacturing of polyanionic sodium-ion batteries, specifically pioneering a sodium iron sulfate (NFS) pathway. This technological approach allows the company to produce batteries with distinct advantages, such as enhanced safety, cost-effectiveness—potentially 50% lower than lithium counterparts with similar performance—long cycle life, and high-rate capability. A notable feature of their technology is the ability to use by-products from traditional chemical industries to create high-purity cathode materials, incorporating a green manufacturing process with zero waste emissions. The company's business model is centered on providing these advanced battery solutions as alternatives to traditional lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries across various applications.

The company's product portfolio is designed to serve a diverse client base, including the automotive sector for low-voltage systems like start-stop and EV assist, as well as industrial applications such as backup power, UPS systems, and energy storage solutions (ESS). In a significant milestone, Zoolnasm secured a contract in October 2024 to supply its sodium-ion batteries to a major international auto parts company, a four-year deal valued at approximately RMB 200 million. To meet growing demand, the company is undertaking a major expansion with the construction of a new manufacturing base in Guangde, Anhui province. This facility, a RMB 10 billion project, is planned to have an annual production capacity of 20 GWh of sodium-ion battery cells and 10 GWh of battery systems upon completion.

Keywords: sodium-ion battery, sodium iron sulfate, battery manufacturing, energy storage solutions, polyanionic cathode, automotive batteries, low-voltage systems, lead-acid replacement, green manufacturing, EV assist, backup power, UPS systems, battery technology, cleantech, energy storage, Zhao Jianqing, Xia Gang, carbon neutral, battery materials, circular economy