Northvolt, the Swedish battery manufacturer, has announced plans to relocate the development of its cutting-edge lithium-metal battery technology from California to its research and development campus, Northvolt Labs, in Västerås, Sweden. This strategic move is part of Northvolt’s broader effort to consolidate the R&D and industrialization of its diverse cell product portfolio, which includes lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-metal batteries, into a single location.
Northvolt Labs, with its state-of-the-art facilities, will now serve as the central hub for the advancement of lithium-metal battery technology. The campus offers unparalleled resources, including a team of highly skilled material engineers, cell designers, and manufacturing experts. These professionals will work in close collaboration with Northvolt’s existing capabilities in cathode active material and cell manufacturing, ensuring that the lithium-metal technology benefits from a holistic and integrated development approach.
The decision to move the development operations to Sweden also aligns with Northvolt’s strategy of bringing lithium-metal technology closer to its customer-facing business units. By doing so, the company is better positioned to integrate this advanced technology into its production system, thereby enhancing its ability to deliver innovative energy solutions to the market.
Northvolt has been advancing lithium-metal battery technology through its fully-owned subsidiary, Cuberg, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.Acquired by Northvolt in 2021, Cuberg has been at the forefront of lithium-metal development. However, with this new shift, Northvolt aims to leverage the capabilities of its Swedish R&D campus to accelerate the technology’s progression and bring it to market readiness more effectively.
Cuberg employees are being offered the opportunity to apply for positions across Northvolt’s various operations, including Northvolt Labs, the Northvolt Ett gigafactory, and Northvolt North America, located in Montreal, Canada. This move not only reflects Northvolt’s commitment to retaining talent but also highlights its dedication to creating a cohesive and unified team focused on pioneering battery technologies.
Shauna McIntyre, CEO of Cuberg, highlighted the importance of this transition, noting, “Northvolt Labs stands as a premier battery R&D facility, making it the ideal location for advancing lithium-metal technology. This move not only deepens Northvolt’s commitment to cutting-edge battery innovation but also enhances its capability to collaborate with industry leaders on a technology with significant potential.”
Supporting this perspective, Northvolt’s Chief Development Officer, Sami Haikala, remarked, “By bringing our lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-metal technologies together at Northvolt Labs, we create an exceptional setting for fostering innovation and speeding up development. This integration strengthens our ability to deliver the next generation of energy solutions to meet the increasing global market demand.”
Northvolt continues to lead the way in developing and supplying sustainable, high-quality battery cells and systems, reinforcing its position as a key player in the global energy transition.
