Sodium-Ion ETFs & Funds

The Problem

There is no ETF or fund that specifically tracks sodium-ion battery companies. The industry is too early, and the companies involved are either small-cap pure plays (Natron), divisions of conglomerates (CATL, Reliance), or private startups (HiNa, Altris, Tiamat). If you want fund-based exposure, you need to buy broader battery and energy storage ETFs that hold the companies building sodium-ion technology alongside their lithium-ion businesses.

The Strategy: Indirect Exposure

The approach is to invest in ETFs that hold the large battery and energy storage companies that are developing sodium-ion technology. You won't get pure sodium-ion exposure — you'll get exposure to the battery industry as a whole, with sodium-ion as an upside catalyst for the underlying companies.

Battery & Energy Storage ETFs

Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT)

• US ticker: LIT (NYSE Arca)
• UK access: Available via most UK brokers (Trading 212, Interactive Brokers, Hargreaves Lansdown)
• AUM: ~$3 billion+
• What it holds: The full lithium-ion supply chain — miners, chemical processors, battery manufacturers, EV makers
• Sodium-ion connection: Holds CATL and other major battery makers developing sodium-ion technology
• Limitation: Despite the name, it's heavily lithium-focused. Sodium-ion is an emerging side-business for most holdings

iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN)

• US ticker: ICLN | UK ticker: ICLN (LSE)
• AUM: ~$5 billion+
• What it holds: Global clean energy companies — solar, wind, energy storage, grid infrastructure
• Sodium-ion connection: Holds companies involved in grid storage deployment where sodium-ion is gaining share
• Limitation: Very broad — clean energy, not battery-specific

Amundi MSCI Global Environment ETF

• European listing: Available on major European exchanges
• What it holds: Companies deriving revenue from environmental solutions, including energy storage
• Sodium-ion connection: Broad environmental exposure includes grid storage companies

VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF

• UK ticker: Available via European listings
• What it holds: Companies in solar, wind, energy storage, hydrogen and EV infrastructure
• Sodium-ion connection: Holds battery and grid storage companies

Global X Future Mobility ETF (HAIL)

• US ticker: HAIL
• What it holds: Companies in EVs, autonomous driving, ride-sharing and battery technology
• Sodium-ion connection: Holds EV manufacturers and battery makers including those developing sodium-ion

Emerging Markets ETFs (for CATL exposure)

CATL is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and isn't directly accessible to most UK retail investors. However, several China-focused ETFs hold CATL:

• iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) — holds CATL as a major position
• Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 ETF (ASHR) — tracks the CSI 300 index, which includes CATL
• KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) — tech-focused but may include CATL

India-Focused ETFs (for Reliance/Faradion exposure)

• iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) — holds Reliance Industries as a top position
• WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) — broad India exposure including Reliance

How to Build a Sodium-Ion Exposure Portfolio

A practical approach for a UK investor wanting sodium-ion exposure via ETFs:

• Core: 60% in a battery ETF (LIT) for direct battery-maker exposure
• Satellite 1: 20% in a China ETF (MCHI) for CATL exposure
• Satellite 2: 10% in an India ETF (INDA) for Reliance/Faradion exposure
• Satellite 3: 10% in a clean energy ETF (ICLN) for grid storage growth

This gives you exposure to CATL, Reliance, Natron (indirectly via US battery holdings), and the broader energy storage market. It's not pure sodium-ion — but it's the best you can do with available funds.

When Will a Pure-Play Sodium-Ion ETF Launch?

Probably not until at least 2027–2028. An ETF needs enough listed companies with sufficient market cap and trading volume. Natron (STC) is too small to anchor a fund alone. If HiNa, Altris or Tiamat go public in the next few years, and if CATL spins off its sodium-ion business, a sodium-ion ETF becomes viable. Until then, indirect exposure is the only option.

UK Tax Wrappers

• Stocks & Shares ISA: Most US-listed ETFs (LIT, ICLN) are eligible. You can hold up to £20,000 per tax year
• SIPP: Self-invested personal pensions can hold most ETFs
• Junior ISA: Available for children — good for long-term battery technology bets
• Always check: Confirm ISA/SIPP eligibility with your broker before buying

The Bottom Line

There's no sodium-ion ETF — yet. The practical approach is to buy broad battery and clean energy ETFs that hold the companies developing sodium-ion technology (CATL, Reliance, etc.), complemented by China and India ETFs for targeted exposure. It's not perfect, but it gives you a stake in the sodium-ion revolution while it's still early.

Learn More

• Best Sodium-Ion Battery Stocks to Watch — individual stock picks
• How to Invest in Sodium-Ion Batteries — the practical UK guide
• The Companies Building Sodium-Ion Batteries — who's who

Nothing on this site is financial advice. All content is for educational purposes only. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions. Back to all guides