Natron Energy, Inc., a global provider of sodium-ion battery technology, announced the commencement of commercial-scale operations at its sodium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan. Natron’s milestone marks the first-ever commercial-scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the US.
These batteries offer higher power density, higher cycles, a domestic US supply chain, and unique safety characteristics over other battery technologies. They’re currently the only UL-listed sodium-ion batteries on the market today.
Natron aims to transform the way businesses use industrial power across a wide range of end markets, including industrial mobility, EV fast charging, and data centers, among others.
The company’s supply chain requires zero lithium, cobalt, nickel, or other difficult-to-obtain minerals. Made from commodity materials including aluminum, iron, manganese, and sodium electrolyte, Natron’s cells, modules, and battery represent an environmentally and socially responsible alternative to lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.
“We are thrilled to announce the opening of the first commercial sodium-ion battery manufacturing facility in the United States,” said Colin Wessells, founder and co-CEO, Natron Energy. “Sodium-ion batteries offer a unique alternative to lithium-ion, with higher power, faster recharge, longer life-cycle, and a completely safe and stable chemistry. As we now begin to scale production, Natron will strengthen the domestic battery supply chain and create high-quality clean energy jobs in Michigan.”
Natron has invested over $40 million to upgrade the $300 million facility and convert existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing lines to sodium-ion battery production. Contributing to this investment, ARPA-E provided $19.8 million through the Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies with Untapped Potential (SCALEUP) program.
The Holland facility will accelerate Natron’s technology commercialization while supporting over 100 local jobs by the end of 2025 and strengthening the region’s rapidly growing clean energy manufacturing sector.
“The electrification of our economy is dependent on the development and production of new, innovative energy storage solutions,” added Wessells. “We at Natron are proud to deliver such a battery without the use of conflict minerals or materials with questionable environmental impacts.”
Natron’s patented Prussian blue electrodes store and transfer sodium-ions faster, more often, and with lower internal resistance than any other commercial battery on the market today. The company’s battery chemistry presents zero strain during charging and discharge, 10x faster cycling than traditional lithium-ion batteries, and an over 50,000 cycle-life.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News