Shanghai (ZXZC)- Shenzhen Jana Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Jana Energy), a Chinese manufacturer of sodium-ion battery cathode and anode materials, along with battery systems, has successfully raised hundreds of millions of yuan in its Series A round, the company announced via its WeChat account on March 5.

Phote credit: Wechat

The latest funding round was led by Zigong High-tech State-owned Capital Investment and Operation Group Co., Ltd., with participation from CHILWEE and Suzhou Xiangcheng Financial Holding Group, while existing shareholder Shunwei Capital continued to invest.

The proceeds from the new funding are earmarked for the construction of a multi-thousand-tonne cathode materials production line, product R&D, and market expansion.

Photo credit: Wechat

The sodium-ion battery, known for its abundant raw materials resource, plays a vital role in ensuring the strategic security and independence of the national new energy industry. It also contributes to the better development of the lithium-ion battery industry. Sodium-ion batteries find wide applications in energy storage scenarios, including large-scale energy storage, grid energy storage, industrial and commercial energy storage, household energy storage, and communications backup power. Additionally, they cater to the low-speed vehicle market, such as A00-segment electric vehicles, two-wheelers, electric forklifts, and start-stop power sources, serving as a significant supplement to lithium-ion batteries.

Of particular significance is the polymer anion cathode technology, which, compared to layered oxide and Prussian Blue (white), offers advantages such as lower cost, superior low-temperature performance, longer cycle life, and enhanced safety. This makes it particularly suitable for energy storage scenarios, establishing it as the mainstream technological route for sodium-ion batteries.

Established in April 2022, Jana Energy is committed to the R&D, and manufacturing of high-security, long-life, and low-cost sodium-ion critical materials and battery systems. The company focuses on the polymer anion cathode technological route, providing a complete set of solutions from cathode, anode, electrolyte, auxiliary materials to battery processes. Its key products include polymer anion cathode-type cathodes adapted for energy storage scenarios and low-speed vehicle scenarios, as well as critical materials like biomass-derived hard carbon anodes.

Since its inception, the company has received angel investment from Shunwei Capital and continued to secure funding from leading institutions like Lightspeed China Partners and Primavera Capital.

Maintaining a commitment to delivering high-quality products with excellent performance and consistency for mass production has been the primary objective of Jana Energy since its establishment. According to the company, in July 2023, Jana Energy successfully launched a thousand-tonne-level cathode material production line in Shenzhen, securing substantial customer orders. To meet the increasing demand, Jana Energy is set to establish a 10,000-tonne-level cathode material production line in 2024, with construction already in full swing. Additionally, the company, in collaboration with several top state-owned energy groups, is actively involved in creating a sodium battery project that integrates cathode and anode materials, battery cells, and energy storage.