Natron Energy

Natron Energy was a pioneering American company that developed and manufactured sodium-ion batteries as a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology. Founded in 2012 by Colin Wessells during his PhD research at Stanford University, Natron became the first U.S. company to achieve commercial-scale production of sodium-ion batteries, launching manufacturing operations in Holland, Michigan in 2024.

The company's breakthrough technology used Prussian blue electrodes in sodium-ion battery designs, offering significant advantages over lithium-ion batteries including lower cost, abundant raw materials (sodium vs. lithium), enhanced safety (nonflammable even when penetrated), and exceptional performance characteristics. Natron's batteries could deliver far greater sustained power (40W/Wh vs. 10W for lithium-ion), recharge in 5-15 minutes (vs. one hour for lithium), and achieve 50,000+ cycle life—five times greater than lithium-ion and 50 times greater than lead acid batteries.

Natron's flagship BlueRack battery cabinets, available in 250kW and 500kW configurations, were designed for mission-critical applications including data centers, peak power-shaving, industrial mobility, and EV fast charging. The company raised $373 million in total funding over 15 rounds from investors including Khosla Ventures, Intel Capital, and the California Energy Commission, demonstrating strong confidence in the sodium-ion battery market opportunity.

In December 2024, Natron underwent a leadership transition with Wendell Brooks, former President of Intel Capital, assuming the CEO role while founder Colin Wessells moved to Chief Technology and Product Officer. The company announced plans for a massive $1.4 billion gigafactory in North Carolina that would produce 24 GWh of batteries annually—40 times the capacity of the Michigan plant.

However, despite these promising developments and significant commercial traction with 2024 revenue of $65.7 million, Natron Energy ceased operations in September 2025 due to unresolved funding issues. The company's closure marked a setback for U.S. sodium-ion battery manufacturing, though the technology and intellectual property are expected to be acquired by other parties. Natron's pioneering work demonstrated the viability of sodium-ion batteries for industrial applications and paved the way for future innovation in alternative battery chemistries.