Northvolt, Europe’s battery manufacturing torch-bearer, introduced the choice to maneuver growth of its next-generation lithium-metal battery expertise from California to its R&D campus, Northvolt Labs, in Västerås, Sweden.
Until now, Northvolt has been engaged within the growth of energy-efficient lithium-metal battery expertise for aviation functions and high-performance automobiles in its Cuberg subsidiary, based mostly in San Leandro, California.
A Stanford University spinoff has developed a 20 Ah commercial-format lithium-metal pouch cell with an vitality density of 405 Wh/kg. It integrates the cells in a battery module particular to aviation that gives a gravimetric and volumetric vitality density of 280 Wh/kg and 320 Wh/L, respectively.
Today, Cuberg workers are inspired to use for open positions that match their experience inside Northvolt.
“Today is a tragic day for me, the complete Cuberg household that I’ve recognized for the previous 9 years, and the battery trade at giant,” wrote Cuberg founder and former CEO Richard Wang on LinkedIn. “Northvolt has formally introduced that it’s closing all Cuberg operations and centralizing its R&D efforts in Sweden.”
Northvolt described the transfer as a strategic transfer to consolidate R&D and industrialization of its cell product portfolio – which incorporates lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-metal – into one location.
“Bringing lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-metal applied sciences collectively underneath one roof at Northvolt Labs creates a novel setting for cross-innovation and accelerated growth,” mentioned Northvolt Chief Development Officer Sami Haikala. “By focusing our efforts, we’re higher geared up to ship the subsequent era of vitality options to fulfill the rising wants of the worldwide market.”
Cuberg CEO Shauna McIntyre will stay in a management position inside Northvolt North America, the battery maker mentioned in a press release.
Northvolt, which has acquired the help of main buyers comparable to Volkswagen, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs since its founding in 2016, has confronted a sequence of setbacks in current months.
After a long-term provide contract by way of 2020, proprietor BMW has pulled a $2 billion EV battery order, citing manufacturing delays. According to current media stories, Northvolt has scrapped plans for a brand new battery manufacturing unit in Borlänge, Sweden, which was scheduled to open this yr. Concerns have additionally arisen about employee security following three deaths on the Northvolt facility in northern Sweden.
Last May, Bloomberg reported that the Swedish firm’s deliberate preliminary public providing had been pushed again to 2025 on the earliest.
However, there are additionally constructive developments. Earlier this yr, Northvolt destroyed a 60 GWh manufacturing unit in Germany. The facility is scheduled to start operations in 2026.
In January, the corporate raised $5 billion in debt financing to assist it increase Sweden’s first gigafactory, Northvolt Ett, to 60 GWh of annual output capability, along with constructing a recycling facility on the identical that web site. The deal represents Europe’s largest inexperienced mortgage up to now.
