Buyer found for Northvolt’s storage subsidiary
Northvolt Dwa ESS was part of Northvolt Systems and was intended to manufacture and sell stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS) made from Northvolt cells. As the buyer Lyten has now announced, the US-American company intends to resume production in Gdansk “immediately” and sales are also set to start again soon. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the takeover, and no purchase price or further details are known.
However, it is clear that Lyten will invest in the production plant (6 GWh, expansion to 10 GWh possible), which will not open until 2023: Lyten is a specialist in lithium-sulphur batteries and says it wants to expand its range to include “the world’s first BESS powered by lithium-sulfur batteries.” The takeover is also intended to accelerate the expansion of Lyten’s lithium-sulphur batteries into Europe. Until production in Gdansk has been converted, however, Lyten intends to fulfil existing customer orders, as the contracts run until 2026.
Lyten had already announced that its lithium-sulphur batteries would be delivered commercially for drones. And car manufacturer Stellantis has also opted for lithium-sulphur batteries from Lyten for the Chrysler Halcyon Concept, although this is still a concept and not a production model. Stellantis has held a stake in Lyten since 2023.
Lithium-sulphur batteries with their high energy density are generally lighter than conventional lithium-ion batteries, which is why their use is often planned in aviation – as mentioned, Lyten itself serves the drone market. However, according to Lyten, the readily available and cheaper materials, together with the wider operating temperature range (especially at high temperatures), should also qualify lithium-sulphur batteries for BESS.
“Northvolt’s BESS manufacturing operations are truly world class and are a seamless strategic fit for Lyten as we launch an exciting new chapter for our company. We plan to immediately restart operations in Poland and deliver on existing and new customer orders,” said Dan Cook, CEO and co-founder of Lyten. “The Port of Gdansk, local and federal officials have all been fully supportive as we combine Silicon Valley technology with Polish engineering and operations talent to export next generation energy storage technology to customers worldwide.”
Lyten had already taken over the Californian battery production facilities of Northvolt subsidiary Cuberg. This deal was concluded in November 2024 after Northvolt, which was already in financial difficulties at the time, had closed its US branch in the summer. Even then, Lyten’s aim was not to continue Northvolt’s plans (in this case, the development and production of lithium metal batteries), but to use the purchased facilities for its own lithium-sulphur technology.
Although Northvolt Dwa ESS was a subsidiary of Northvolt Systems, Northvolt Systems itself was actually Northvolt’s module production facility located in Gdansk in order to be able to sell customers not only battery cells but also pre-assembled modules. In February, Northvolt sold this business to its customer, truck manufacturer Scania.
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