Natron Energy Announces First-Ever UL Listed Sodium-Ion Battery

Natron’s BlueTray™ 4000 safe, sustainable, energy-efficient battery is now available to ship for data center, telecom and mission-critical applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Natron Energy, the world’s leading supplier of high-power, long-life and fire-safe Sodium-ion batteries using Prussian blue chemistry, announced today that it has achieved a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listing for its BlueTray™ 4000 battery —a first for the industry and a major leap forward for safe, nonflammable battery technology that can be easily integrated into data centers and telecom companies at scale.

The BlueTray™ 4000 Rack-Mounted Battery Pack is now commercially available for shipment. It is the first-ever Sodium-ion battery to achieve a 1973 certification from UL, the definitive third-party evaluation of battery product safety. Natron’s battery cells are also the first battery cells to publicly disclose the results of rigorous UL 9540A fire testing on the new UL 9540A database. Starting October 1, fire departments and local permitting agencies are invited to review Natron’s results on UL’s website.

“The global economy is powered by the data and telecom industries. It’s critical that the batteries supporting these vital pieces of infrastructure are safe, sustainable and long lasting,” said Natron CEO Colin Wessells. “Natron’s customers have made clear that these critical infrastructure facilities require the safest, most robust batteries available. We have perfected and commercialized a Sodium-ion battery that exhibits zero dangerous behavior under the rigorous UL 9540A fire testing procedures, and is 100% compliant with the nationally recommended fire code. Our batteries do not exhibit thermal runaway under any conditions, and we are thrilled to share our UL test results with the critical infrastructure community.”

Last week, Natron announced that it was awarded a competitive $20 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to expand commercial production of its battery pack. Earlier this year, a $35 million infusion of Series-D funding enabled the company to produce commercial quantities of the battery at its Santa Clara, CA, facility for the first time.

ABB Technology Ventures, which provides strategic venture capital for breakthrough industrial technology startups including Natron Energy, was part of the company’s Series D funding round. The BlueTray™ 4000 battery aligns with ABB’s goal to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.

“In mission critical facilities and applications, uptime is essential, and safety is paramount. Natron’s BlueTray™ 4000 Sodium-ion battery delivers on both fronts,” said Jeff Schnitzer, president of ABB’s Power Conversion business division. “In developing the first UL-listed Sodium-ion battery, Natron has demonstrated its commitment to providing the safe, reliable power required for today’s high-capacity data centers and evolving 5G networks.”

Natron’s unique Sodium-ion technology enables energy storage products that are both higher-powered and safer than traditional options—with none of the fire, toxic gas or thermal runaway risks associated with lithium or lead batteries. Unlike existing products, Natron’s BlueTray™ 4000 is a self-contained unit no larger than a pizza box and requires no bolt-on external circuits, fire protective packaging or unreliable cooling systems.

For product information, specifications and sales information about the Natron BlueTray™ 4000, see Natron’s website www.natron.energy or contact info@natron.energy.

About Natron Energy

Natron Energy’s mission is to transform industrial and grid energy storage markets by providing customers with lower cost, longer lasting, more efficient, safer batteries. Natron’s battery products are based on a unique Prussian blue chemistry and can integrate into a wide variety of energy storage applications ranging from critical backup power systems to EV fast charging and behind-the-meter applications.

Natron’s batteries are UL1973 recognized and have passed rigorous UL9540A fire testing, offer higher power density, faster recharge and significantly longer cycle life than other energy storage technologies. Natron builds its batteries using commodity materials on existing cell manufacturing lines. Natron is backed by leading venture capital investors including ABB Technology Ventures, Chevron, Khosla Ventures, Nano Dimension, Prelude Ventures and Volta Energy Technologies. To learn more, visit www.natron.energy.