According to a September 15 announcement on the website of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, a signing ceremony for the Licensing Agreement for Phosphate-Based Sodium-Ion Battery Cell Manufacturing Technology was held at DICP on September 15 among DICP, Shaanxi Yuanqi Wind-Solar Energy Storage Co., Ltd. (Yuanqi Storage) and Yulin CAS Clean Energy Innovation Research Institute (Yulin Institute). Attendees included Yuanqi chairman Feng Guangfei and GM Wang Yanping, Yulin Institute party secretary Yang Yue and deputy directors Liu Yong and Chen Wei, and DICP deputy director Li Xianfeng; Wang Yanping, Liu Yong and DICP technology cooperation division deputy director Wei Xiaofeng signed the contract on behalf of the three parties.
Li Xianfeng introduced DICP's research progress and industrialization cooperation, expressing hope to explore new industry-academia-research models and accelerate the deployment of new energy technologies in Yulin for the city's energy revolution innovation demonstration zone; the Yulin Institute pledged to bridge the innovation chain and industrial chain; Feng Guangfei noted sodium-ion technology's clear advantages and broad prospects, calling the signing a starting point for deeper cooperation.
On technology route: phosphate-based (polyanionic) sodium-ion cells are known for structural stability, cycle life and safety, with lower energy density than layered-oxide routes, targeting long-life, high-safety storage scenarios rather than vehicle powertrains; this is a Na-ion route, unrelated to sodium-sulfur (NAS). Per BJX Energy Storage Net's earlier report citing DICP, the energy storage research division led by Li Xianfeng and Zheng Qiong has worked on sodium technology since 2015 and built a 10kWh sodium phosphate (sodium iron pyrophosphate-based) system in 2023 with measured output of 9.7kWh and 91% DC-side efficiency.
This shows CAS-system storage technology transferring to industry via licensing rather than self-built production lines - DICP shifts industrialization risk to the enterprise while retaining its R&D iteration position, a typical path for research institutes. A licensing agreement does not equal a completed line, product rollout or orders; license value, licensee capacity plans and product specs (energy density, cycle life) were not disclosed; Yulin's actual industrialization pace depends on Yuanqi's funding, line construction and market development.