America's first sodium-ion battery gigafactory is coming to North Carolina
Natron Energy to build America's first sodium-ion battery gigafactory in North Carolina, aiming for 24 GWh production capacity.
Natron Energy is taking a significant step by investing $1.4 billion to build the first sodium-ion battery gigafactory in the United States. The facility, to be located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, will span 1.2 million square feet and is expected to have an annual production capacity of 24 gigawatt-hours once fully operational.
The company chose North Carolina due to its leadership in the clean energy sector and received economic incentives, including a 12-year Job Development Investment Grant. This project is anticipated to create over 1,000 jobs and contribute an estimated $3.4 billion to the state's economy, utilizing domestic materials like aluminum, iron, and manganese.
Natron's patented Prussian blue electrodes enable rapid charging and long cycle life, addressing concerns over lithium shortages projected by 2025. The advantages of sodium-ion batteries, such as faster charging times and improved safety, make this investment timely and strategically important for diverse applications, including data centers, electric vehicles, and microgrids.