Natron Energy to build Na-ion battery factory in North Carolina
So far, Natron Energy has only presented the plans for the 1.4 billion dollar battery factory in eastern North Carolina. However, there was no timetable – so it remains unclear when construction will begin, when production will start or when the final capacity of 24 GWh will be reached. One thing is clear: at 24 GWh, the plant’s capacity is 40 times what Natron Energy can produce today.
Sodium-ion batteries are seen as an alternative to the lithium-ion batteries that are widely used today, as they do not require materials such as lithium, cobalt, copper or nickel, are non-flammable and are also cheaper due to the better availability of sodium. Natron Energy also confidently states that its own high-performance cells should “outperform lithium-ion batteries in terms of power density and charging speed”. Natron Energy sees a broad sales market for its battery cells, for example in the field of industrial energy supply, “including data centers, mobility, EV fast charging, microgrids, and telecom, among others”, according to Natron Energy. United Airlines invested in Natron Energy in 2022 – as it also sees potential in aviation. In addition to electric aircraft, United is also focusing on the electrification of ground vehicles.
“Natron’s patented Prussian blue electrodes store and transfer sodium-ions faster, 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 50,000+ cycle life,” the company says. Natron Energy uses aluminum, iron, manganese and a sodium electrolyte for its cells, modules and packs.
The 177-hectare site in Kingsboro is located near US Highway 64, where battery cells are to be manufactured in the future on around 110,000 square meters (original specification: 1.2 million square feet) – it would be the first battery factory on a gigawatt-hour scale for sodium-ion cells in the USA. The published images and Google Maps show an area that has already been levelled but is still undeveloped and already connected to the road network.
“After evaluating over 70 sites across 9 states, we found that North Carolina, with its leadership in the clean energy revolution, would make the perfect home for this project,” said Colin Wessells, founder and co-CEO of Natron Energy. “We are proud to partner with the state on this ambitious project to deliver high-quality jobs to the community while advancing the electrification of our economy. We look forward to joining the Edgecombe County business community.”
The total investment of nearly $1.4 billion is also supported by a grant from the state. North Carolina’s Economic Investment Committee has approved such funding through the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG). Up to 1,000 jobs are expected to be created in Edgecombe County. “With today’s news, North Carolina’s momentum in the clean energy economy is reaching epic proportions,” said Gov. Roy Cooper (Democrat). “Natron Energy’s decision to build this large and unique battery plant in our state will help the country reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating good jobs in Rocky Mount, Nash and Edgecombe counties, as well as many other places in eastern North Carolina.”
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