United Airlines has announced a strategic equity investment in Natron Energy, a battery manufacturer whose sodium-ion batteries have the potential to help United electrify its airport ground equipment like pushback tractors and operations at the gate.
United has previously made big investments in companies to develop technology that will help reduce aircraft emissions. However, Natron is the first that has the potential to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint from United’s ground operations.
“United Airlines Ventures was created to identify companies spearheading the next generation of innovative and emissions-reducing technology,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airline Ventures. “Out of the gate, we primarily focused on technology designed to help reduce carbon emissions from our airplanes. Natron’s cutting-edge sodium-ion batteries presented an ideal opportunity to both potentially expand our sustainability investment portfolio to our ground operations, and to help make our airport operations more resilient. United is looking forward to future opportunities to work with our airport partners on sustainable technology initiatives.”
The airline has more than 12,000 pieces of motorised ground equipment across its operations, of which a third are currently electric, says the company’s press release.
Natrons batteries have the potential to support a number of uses including charging electric ground equipment, changing anticipated future electric aircraft such as electric air taxis, allowing airport operations to manage electricity demand and improving resiliency related to inclement weather.
“Natron’s sodium-ion batteries will help the aviation industry achieve its decarbonization and EV goals,” said Colin Wessells, CEO of Natron Energy. “Our batteries provide the high power over short distances that ground service equipment needs, and unlike lithium-ion, Natron’s batteries are completely nonflammable and can be safely deployed into ground service operations.”
The sodium-ion batteries contain several features that distinguish them from already existing battery technology. These batteries have been found to be nonflammable which is essential for higher use power. Furthermore, sodium-ion materials are abundant worldwide and are therefore easily sourced.
The press release has stated that Natron plans to use the funds to accelerate production at its manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan, where it will scale operations to begin mass production of UL-listed sodium-ion batteries in 2023.
