Edgecombe County, North Carolina, September 4, 2025

News Summary

Natron Energy has announced the cessation of operations and abandoned its plans for a $1.4 billion battery gigafactory in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The project was expected to generate over 1,000 jobs and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. However, financial challenges and a lack of additional funding led to this decision, marking a setback for clean energy development in the region. State officials express disappointment as the area had anticipated the economic boost from the planned factory.

North Carolina

California-based company Natron Energy announced on September 3, 2025, that it has ceased operations and abandoned plans to build a $1.4 billion battery gigafactory in Edgecombe County. The project was anticipated to create over 1,000 jobs with an average salary of $64,071 and inject an estimated $3.4 billion into North Carolina’s economy over the next 12 years. The factory was set to be a major step in clean energy development in the state.

State officials had previously approved an incentive package valued at up to $56.3 million to support the establishment of the factory. However, Natron Energy’s decision came after the company faced significant financial challenges and was unable to secure additional funding or sales. Alongside the closure of the North Carolina facility, Natron’s operations in Holland, Michigan, and Santa Clara, California, were also permanently shut down, resulting in approximately 95 layoffs.

The cessation of operations at Natron is viewed as a significant economic setback for the Rocky Mount area, which was banking on the creation of new jobs from the planned factory. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley expressed disappointment over the company’s failure, highlighting the lost opportunity for good-paying jobs in a growing industry. The factory was expected to support the trend toward clean energy and sustainability in North Carolina.

Natron Energy was known for its production of industrial sodium-ion batteries, which have certain advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries, including better power density and enhanced safety features. Despite booking $25 million in orders, the company struggled to access revenue due to delays in product certification from the Underwriters Laboratory.

Efforts to seek additional capital from existing and potential investors to avoid shutdowns were ultimately abandoned by late August. The board of directors confirmed that they could not raise sufficient funds to meet operational and working capital needs. The proposed factory at the Kingsboro site would have marked one of the largest economic development initiatives in eastern North Carolina in recent years.

This factory loss marks the second significant setback for the Kingsboro site, following the cancellation of plans by Chinese tire manufacturer Triangle Tyre for a facility that promised 800 jobs. The cancellation of Natron Energy’s project raises questions about future developments in the area, although economic developers remain optimistic about the Kingsboro megasite, which is considered one of the leading sites for industrial prospects in the nation.

No funds from the approved incentive package had been disbursed to Natron Energy, as companies must reach specified hiring and investment milestones to access state grants. Despite this disappointment, the commitment to clean energy development persists in North Carolina, with hopes that future projects will bring the desired economic growth to the region.

FAQ

• What led to Natron Energy’s closure?

  Natron Energy ceased operations due to financial challenges and unsuccessful attempts to secure additional funding or sales.

• How many jobs were projected to be created by the proposed gigafactory?

  The planned gigafactory was expected to create over 1,000 jobs.

• What financial impact was expected from the factory?

  The factory was projected to inject $3.4 billion into the North Carolina economy over 12 years.

• Were there any incentives approved for the project?

  Yes, state officials approved an incentive package worth up to $56.3 million for the project, but no payments had been made as targets were not met.

• What type of batteries did Natron Energy produce?

  The company primarily produced industrial sodium-ion batteries, known for their safety and higher power density compared to lithium-ion batteries.

Key Features of Natron Energy Closure

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• News Observer
• Wikipedia: Battery Energy Storage
• Carolina Journal
• Google Search: Natron Energy closure
• WRAL

Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER

SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.