Natron Energy has unveiled plans to build the first sodium-ion battery gigafactory in the United States, located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The proposed facility, with a projected capacity of 24 GWh per year, represents a significant expansion for the company, which currently operates on a much smaller scale.
The $1.4 billion project aims to capitalize on the advantages of sodium-ion batteries, which are considered a viable alternative to the widely used lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries offer several benefits, including the absence of critical materials like lithium, cobalt, copper, and nickel, making them more cost-effective and less flammable. Natron Energy claims that its high-performance sodium-ion cells can outperform lithium-ion batteries in power density and charging speed, targeting markets such as industrial energy supply, data centers, EV fast charging, microgrids, and telecommunications.
“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,” said Colin Wessells, founder and co-CEO of Natron Energy. “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 177-hectare site in Kingsboro, near US Highway 64, has already been leveled and is connected to the road network, positioning it well for future development. However, details regarding the construction timeline and the plant’s operational start date have not yet been disclosed. At full capacity, the gigafactory will be 40 times larger than Natron’s current production capabilities.
The project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs in the area, supported by a grant from North Carolina’s Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program. “With today’s news, North Carolina’s momentum in the clean energy economy is reaching epic proportions,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “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.”
Natron Energy’s decision to invest in North Carolina came after evaluating over 70 sites across nine states. The company cited the state’s leadership in the clean energy revolution as a key factor in its decision. “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,” Wessells added.
