Lyten, a company specializing in lithium-sulfur battery technology, has secured U.S.-sourced sulfur to support its manufacturing operations. The company has entered into agreements with California Sulphur Company and a Port of Stockton-based supplier, which will provide industrial-grade sulfur to its production facilities in San Jose, San Leandro, and its gigafactory in Reno, Nevada. This move is part of Lyten’s broader strategy to develop a U.S.-based battery supply chain, reducing reliance on materials controlled by China and addressing potential vulnerabilities in global supply chains.
Lyten’s sulfur-based batteries offer advantages over traditional lithium-ion options, including a significant reduction in weight. As the company states, “Lyten’s sulfur-based batteries are 40% lighter than lithium-ion NMC batteries and 70% lighter than lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) alternatives.” The company is focusing on using sulfur, an abundant and low-cost material, instead of nickel, manganese, cobalt, and iron, which are commonly used in lithium-ion batteries. By sourcing sulfur locally, Lyten is also improving supply chain efficiency, as the material can be processed within a short distance of its manufacturing sites, in contrast to the long distances involved in sourcing lithium-ion materials.
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The company has also been expanding its operations, including acquiring a battery plant in San Leandro and constructing a gigafactory in Reno, Nevada. With a $650 million funding agreement in place with the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (EXIM), Lyten is poised to scale its battery production further. The company’s technology is being integrated into a variety of sectors, including automotive and aerospace, with plans for future demonstrations, such as a 2025 showcase aboard the International Space Station. According to Lyten’s co-founder and CEO, Dan Cook, “The U.S. needs an alternative to lithium-ion batteries… Lyten’s Lithium-Sulfur batteries use local materials, are fully manufactured in the U.S., and are cost competitive because of low-cost sulfur.”
Lyten’s Chief Battery Technology Officer, Celina Mikolajczak, also highlighted the potential of lithium-sulfur technology to reduce weight in applications like satellites, drones, and electric vehicles, saying, “In satellites and drones, we can remove kilograms of weight… In vehicles, we can remove hundreds of kilograms, improving cost, safety, and range.”
See also: Silicon Valley Startup Lyten to Build World’s First Lithium-Sulfur Battery Gigafactory in Nevada
Founded in 2015, Lyten has attracted substantial investment and holds numerous patents in the field. The company is positioning itself as a key player in the development of next-generation battery technology, with a focus on transportation, aerospace, and energy storage applications.
