Lyten plans first lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory in Nevada
SIlicon Valley startup Lyten has announced plans to invest over $1 billion to build a lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory near Reno, Nevada. The facility will have a production capacity of up to 10 GWh of batteries annually at full scale. The aim is to break ground in 2025, and the what the company calls Phase 1 is scheduled to be operational in 2027.
The gigafactory will manufacture cathode active materials (CAM), lithium metal anodes, and complete battery cell assembly in both cylindrical and pouch formats. The 1.25 million square foot facility will be located on a 125-acre campus in the Reno AirLogistics Park at Stead Airport. Lyten, backed by automaker Stellantis and FedEx had previously been manufacturing its batteries at a pilot facility in San Jose, California, since May 2023.
In July, the 2015-founded Lyten said it had successfully raised over $425M in total funding, and didn’t provide further details on its ability to fund the entire battery plant.
The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dermody Properties for the facility on Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority land. Initially, the plant will employ 200 people, growing to over 1,000 at full capacity. Reno is also home to a Tesla battery gigafactory that produces battery packs.
Lyten says its lithium-sulfur cells “have high energy density” without offering specifics, and up to 40% lighter than lithium-ion and 60% lighter than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. The technology does not require nickel, cobalt, manganese, or graphite. The company claims its batteries will be lower cost than lithium-ion at scale.
“Today is the latest milestone in Lyten’s nine-year history. Lithium-sulfur is a leap in battery technology, delivering a high energy density, light weight battery built with abundantly available local materials and 100% U.S. manufacturing,” said Dan Cook, Lyten Co-Founder and CEO.
“Nevada is emerging as a key hub for U.S. battery manufacturing, and Lyten’s choice to build the world’s first lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory here underscores the strategic advantages our state offers to leading tech companies,” said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo.
The facility will produce battery cells compliant with the Inflation Reduction Act and National Defense Appropriations Act, and not subject to Section 301 tariffs.
Lyten aims to break ground in early 2025, pending finalization of contractual terms with Dermody Properties and the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.