Natron Energy to Invest $1.4 Billion in First U.S. Sodium-Ion Battery Gigafactory

Natron Energy, a U.S.-based manufacturer of sodium-ion batteries, has announced plans to invest nearly $1.4 billion to build a 1.2 million-square-foot gigafactory in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Once completed, the facility will produce up to 24 gigawatt-hours of sodium-ion batteries annually, marking a 40-fold increase over the company's current output. This pioneering project aims to commercialize sodium-ion technology in the U.S. for applications in electric vehicles, data centers, microgrids, and telecommunications.

Natron's decision to establish the facility in North Carolina follows an evaluation of over 70 potential sites across nine states. The state offered attractive incentives, including a 12-year Job Development Investment Grant, and the project is expected to create over 1,000 clean energy jobs and generate $3.4 billion in economic growth for the region.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, Natron's sodium-ion batteries use more accessible materials like aluminum, iron, and manganese, bypassing the need for scarce resources such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The technology is built around the company's patented Prussian blue electrodes, which enable rapid charging—up to 100% in less than 15 minutes—and long cycle life with over 50,000 charge cycles without performance degradation. Additionally, sodium-ion batteries come with enhanced safety benefits, including the elimination of overheating risks.

With concerns over a looming lithium shortage by 2025, sodium-ion technology presents a timely and more sustainable alternative. Sodium is more abundant and easier to source than lithium, making Natron's investment in this technology especially advantageous as demand for clean energy solutions accelerates.