An employee operates smart equipment at the factory of Highstar. [Photo/WeChat account: qdjjkfq0513]

The first phase of PRET's square lithium-ion battery project, located in the Qidong Economic Development Zone, has commenced trial production. With a planned total investment of 1.33 billion yuan ($183.08 million), the project aims to produce 6 gigawatt hours of batteries annually, generating taxable sales of 4 billion yuan per year.

The project is invested by Jiangsu Highstar Energy Storage Technology Co Ltd in Qidong, which has been focusing on the development of new cylindrical lithium-ion batteries tailored for the fields of power tools, household appliances, and bicycles. These products are praised by customers from across the world for their long lifespan, high capacity, and strong safety standards.

Sodium-ion technology represents an emerging frontier within the industry, and Highstar is actively diversifying its sodium-ion batteries. To date, the company has successfully developed five different specifications of cylindrical sodium-ion batteries and five specifications of square sodium-ion batteries. These products have found wide applications in special purpose vehicles, low-speed electric vehicles, home energy storage, and backup power systems, demonstrating the company's innovative capabilities and leading position in the sodium-ion battery field.