Natron/Arxada in large-scale production of battery grade Prussian blue materials
Natron Energy, Inc., which manufactures sodium-ion batteries, and speciality chemicals firm Arxada have initiated the large-scale production of battery-grade Prussian blue at Arxada’s facility in Visp, Switzerland. The production facility will immediately begin supplying Natron with materials to produce up to 600 MW battery capacity annually. The initiation of Prussian blue production by Arxada follows the supply agreement between Arxada and Natron announced in Q1 2021.
Natron is the world leader in sodium-ion batteries based on their patented Prussian blue technology, and the only company shipping UL-listed sodium-ion products in the marketplace today. Battery grade Prussian blue has a unique chemical composition that is different from the common pigment utilised in blue jeans and paint. This composition results in breakthrough battery performance, allowing full charge and discharge in minutes for tens of thousands of cycles. Natron’s battery grade Prussian blue material can be manufactured at high volume and low cost in existing fine chemicals plants. Natron batteries do not require mined ore or rare minerals, removing these carbon intensive feedstocks from our products and reducing strain on industrial customer ESG compliance initiatives.
Through a highly collaborative process, Arxada has expanded its existing Visp facility for the high-volume production of these battery grade Prussian blue materials. The facility has successfully completed trial runs and has begun manufacturing products.
The Swiss Canton of Valais provided support for construction of the Arxada Prussian blue facility, and has been a leader in attracting battery materials manufacturing, increasing local employment, and helping reduce global carbon emissions.
Natron’s batteries, which store sodium ions in electrode materials based on Prussian blue materials, are said to offer high power density, longer service life, and safety characteristics over other battery technologies. Natron manufactures its batteries in the US, and requires zero lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, or other conflict minerals.
