Natron Energy, a company specializing in sodium-ion battery technology, has announced plans to build a large-scale manufacturing facility in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The $1.4 billion project will be located on 437 acres at the Kingsboro Megasite and is designed to produce 24 GWh of sodium-ion batteries annually at full capacity.
The investment is supported in part by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the North Carolina Economic Investment Committee. The facility is expected to create more than 1,000 local jobs and contribute $3.4 billion to the state’s economy over 12 years.
Natron’s sodium-ion batteries are designed to provide higher power density and faster recharge compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. These batteries do not require lithium, cobalt, copper or nickel in their composition and are designed to be non-flammable. The technology is targeted for a variety of industrial applications, including backup power systems for data centers, electric vehicle charging and system hybridization.
The new facility represents a significant expansion for Natron, increasing its production capacity by a factor of 40. Notably, Natron’s batteries are currently the only sodium-ion batteries listed by UL, a global safety certification company.
Governor Roy Cooper commented on the announcement, noting its importance to North Carolina’s developing clean energy sector. The project may also benefit from the state’s Megasite Readiness Program, with Edgecombe County expected to apply for a $30 million grant from this initiative.
Natron Energy’s decision to locate in North Carolina followed an extensive evaluation of potential sites in several states. The company cited North Carolina’s commitment to clean energy development as a key factor in its selection.
Source: BusinessWire
