SAN JOSE, CA and RENO, NV—Lyten, a leader in supermaterial applications and Lithium-Sulfur battery technology, has announced plans to invest over $1 billion in building the world’s first Lithium-Sulfur battery gigafactory near Reno, Nevada. The facility will have the capacity to produce up to 10 GWh of batteries annually when fully operational, with Phase 1 set to begin in 2027.
The new plant will manufacture cathode active materials (CAM), lithium metal anodes, and assemble lithium-sulfur battery cells in both cylindrical and pouch formats. Lyten has been producing these materials at its semi-automated pilot facility in San Jose, California, since May 2023.
“This marks a significant milestone in Lyten’s journey,” said Dan Cook, Lyten’s Co-Founder and CEO. “Lithium-sulfur is a breakthrough in battery technology, offering high energy density and light weight, using abundant local materials and 100% U.S. manufacturing.”
Lyten’s lithium-sulfur batteries are expected to be 40% lighter than lithium-ion and 60% lighter than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. They also eliminate the need for mined minerals like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, reducing costs and environmental impact. Lyten’s batteries will soon enter the micromobility, space, drone, and defense markets in 2024 and 2025.
The gigafactory will be built on a 125-acre site in Reno AirLogistics Park, initially employing 200 workers, with that number growing to over 1,000 at full capacity. Lyten has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dermody Properties to develop the site, and the facility is expected to break ground in early 2025.
Lyten is partnering with local educational institutions, including the University of Nevada-Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College, to develop the skilled workforce necessary to scale gigafactory operations.
The Nevada gigafactory will produce lithium-sulfur battery cells fully compliant with U.S. regulations, including the Inflation Reduction Act and National Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA), while avoiding Section 301 tariffs.
