Lyten plans battery restart in Heide with special technology - Lyten's $5B Bet: Next-Gen Battery Hub Rises on Northvolt's German Site
US-based Lyten is set to transform Northvolt's former German site into a cutting-edge battery production hub. The company has acquired Northvolt's insolvent Swedish operations for nearly $5 billion and now plans a major facility near Heide. Unlike Northvolt's focus on lithium-ion batteries, Lyten will specialise in next-generation lithium-sulfur cells, promising higher energy density and a longer lifespan.
Lyten's expansion follows its purchase of Northvolt's key Swedish assets, including the main plant in Skellefteå and an R&D centre in Västerås. The deal, worth around €4.2 billion, positions the US firm to scale production to gigawatt levels. Their patented lithium-sulfur technology, developed with a Silicon Valley team, avoids critical raw materials like cobalt and nickel.
The new facility near Heide could include a battery cell factory, a data centre, and energy storage systems. Construction may start as early as 2027, but only if Lyten successfully acquires Northvolt's German subsidiary. Negotiations are currently underway with the German government, KfW development bank, and Schleswig-Holstein officials. While lithium-sulfur batteries excel in gravimetric energy density—ideal for niche markets—they lag behind in space efficiency and fast charging. To ensure long-term success, Lyten is advised to form an investment advisory board and appoint a local leader to rally support. The project has already sparked interest in northern Germany's business circles, where Lyten aims to stand out from conventional mass battery production. Northvolt had previously planned a similar factory in Heide, with 3,000 jobs and a €600 million convertible bond. Lyten's approach, however, shifts focus to advanced battery chemistry rather than traditional lithium-ion cells.
If approved, Lyten's facility would mark a major shift in battery manufacturing for the region. The company's lithium-sulfur technology could open new opportunities in specialty markets, though challenges in charging speed and space remain. The project's success hinges on finalising the German subsidiary deal and securing local and federal backing.
