Nikkei XTECH and Nikkei Electronics to Host Seminar on “Next-Generation Batteries” Technology Frontline & Industry Future on March 16

Key Points of the Seminar

• Thorough analysis of the rapidly changing market trends and core technologies of automotive batteries in Japan and China.

• Leading Chinese automotive battery manufacturers’ key figures will discuss their development strategies.

• A veteran editor from Nikkei XTECH will provide an in-depth analysis of “full-solid-state batteries,” considered a promising next-generation technology.

• Experts will unravel critical technologies such as sodium-ion batteries and recycling.

Event Overview

Program (13:00-17:00)

13:00-13:45 “Battery Development Strategy of China’s Gotion High Tech: From VW Group Collaboration to Material Procurement Policy”

Cheng Qian, Senior Vice President, Head of Asia Pacific Business, Doctor of Engineering, Gotion High Tech

Gotion High Tech, a major Chinese battery manufacturer, ranks among the world’s top 10. Its principal shareholder is the German VW (Volkswagen) Group. The company specializes in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and plans mass production of all-solid-state batteries in Q1 2027. Dr. Cheng, who oversees the Asia Pacific business and has experience in battery R&D at NEC and Apple, will discuss the company’s automotive battery development strategy and material procurement policies.
This lecture will be given in Japanese.

13:45-14:25 “In-depth Analysis of All-Solid-State Batteries, the Promising Next-Generation Technology: Li Metal Anode and Li Sulfur also Taking Off”

Tetsuo Nozawa, Editorial Board Member, Nikkei XTECH / Nikkei Electronics

Mass production of all-solid-state batteries for EVs is approaching, with an increasing number of companies, primarily Chinese, planning commercialization. 2026 is likely to be the “first year” for this technology. Promising candidates for post-lithium-ion batteries, such as Li metal anode batteries and Li-sulfur batteries, have also emerged. This session will analyze the latest technological development trends and companies’ mass production plans to forecast the future of these next-generation battery technologies.

14:40-15:20 “Sodium-Ion Batteries: Latest Trends in China and Directions for Technological Evolution”

Tetsuo Sakai, Chief Scientist, Doctor of Engineering, STL JAPAN

Sodium-ion batteries hold the potential to replace lithium-ion batteries due to their abundant and inexhaustible supply from seawater. Commercialization for automotive and stationary applications has begun, led by China’s CATL. STL JAPAN, knowledgeable in global trends including China, will provide a multifaceted explanation of sodium-ion batteries, considering their technical background. Dr. Sakai is a renowned researcher who has long led the development of next-generation batteries at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.

15:20-16:00 “Reading the Latest Battery Trends in Europe: From Promising Technologies to AI-Utilized R&D Methods and Production Technologies”

Kodai Nagano, Representative Director Co-CEO, Beff

Beff, a battery-related startup based in Japan and Germany, covers a wide range of areas from battery R&D to production. This presentation will explain the latest battery trends observed in Europe. It will also touch upon the “next step” in technology development and production innovation stemming from AI-utilized battery data management and analysis services, as well as the evolution of design methods. Mr. Nagano founded Beff in 2023 after being involved in next-generation battery development at Nissan Motor and Toyota Motor.

16:00-16:40 “Market Trends and Recycling Technologies for Rare Metal Resources Circulation: High-Efficiency, High-Purity Battery Resource Recovery Born from Nuclear Science”

Shogo Takamuku, Assistant CTO (Head of Technology Development), Ph.D, MBA, Emulsion Flow Technologies

With the expansion of the battery market, the volume of used batteries is increasing, necessitating high-efficiency and high-purity resource recovery technologies. This presentation will provide an overview of the battery recycling market and introduce innovative approaches to battery resource circulation. Emulsion Flow Technologies is a startup spun off from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), rooted in solvent extraction knowledge based on nuclear science. The company develops technology for lithium-ion battery recycling that achieves both implementability and sustainability with excellent separation performance. Mr. Takamuku joined his current position in November 2025, after experience at Nissan Motor, Max Planck Institute, and Bosch.

16:40-17:00 Networking Session

A networking session with the speakers will be held. Please note that some speakers may not be able to attend due to their schedules.

Registration

For seminar details and registration, please visit:
https://www.nikkeibp.co.jp/seminar/atcl/nxt/ne260316/

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding the content of the “NE Power Electronics Award 2025” (as stated in the original press release), please use the Nikkei Electronics inquiry form:
https://support.nikkeibp.co.jp/app/ask_0301/p/248

For press inquiries, please use the Nikkei BP corporate site inquiry page:
https://www.nikkeibp.co.jp/faq/