U.S. battery start-up Lyten has announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in the construction of the world’s first Lithium-Sulfur battery gigafactory.
Such a huge investment in this emerging technology has stirred rumours that it could reduce China’s firm grip on the metal supply chain and increase U.S. independence.
The factory’s site is planned to be located in Reno, Nevada and is expected to begin production by 2027.
The plant will have the capability to produce up to 10 GWh of batteries annually at full scale and will manufacture cathode active materials (CAM) and lithium metal anodes and complete assembly of lithium-sulfur battery cells.
“Today is the latest milestone in Lyten’s nine-year history. Lithium-sulfur is a leap in battery technology, delivering a high energy density, light weight battery built with abundantly available local materials and 100% U.S. manufacturing,” said Dan Cook, Lyten’s Co-Founder and CEO.
Lithium-Sulfur cells feature high energy density, which will enable up to 40% lighter weight than lithium-ion and 60% lighter weight than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
The start-up’s cells will be fully manufactured in the U.S. and utilise abundantly available local materials, eliminating the need for the mined minerals nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite.
This could potentially lead to the nation taking a step away from China’s strong supply of materials, such a graphite, and using their new technology instead.
