Natron Energy, the global leader in manufacturing of sodium-ion batteries, and Arxada AG, a global leader in innovative specialty chemicals, have announced successful initiation of large-scale production of battery-grade Prussian blue at Arxada’s facility in Visp, Switzerland.

The world-class 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 utilized 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.

Antje Gerber, President of Arxada’s Specialty Products Solutions business said, “We are pleased to have partnered with Natron to enable high-volume production of battery grade Prussian blue materials to fuel global deployments of this critical and innovative battery technology.”

Colin Wessells, CEO, Natron said, “The Prussian blue supplied by Arxada will be transformed in our Holland, Michigan, US factory into UL-listed sodium-ion battery products. Our customers in the data center, UPS, and energy storage markets are eager for Natron to scale and deliver the product quickly. The current market for Li-ion materials and batteries is increasingly challenged by limited supply of critical minerals. By collaborating with Arxada, Natron can provide cost-effective battery products, manufactured in the US.”

“Natron is incredibly grateful for the support of the Canton of Valais, which was instrumental in helping us achieve the milestone of mass production,” added Wessells.

Natron’s batteries, which store sodium ions in electrode materials based on Prussian blue materials, offer high power density, longer service life, and unique safety characteristics over other battery technologies. Natron manufactures its batteries in the US, and requires zero lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, or other conflict minerals.