Lyten
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products | |
| Website | lyten |
Lyten, Inc. is an American advanced materials company headquartered in San Jose, California.[1] It develops composites, sensors, and lithium–sulfur batteries. The company is known for its proprietary 3D graphene platform and its efforts to commercialize next-generation battery chemistries that avoid reliance on critical minerals such as cobalt and nickel.[2] Lyten serves markets including electric vehicles, aerospace, energy storage, construction, and industrial sensing.[3]
History
Lyten was founded in 2015 by Daniel Cook, Lars Herlitz, Scott Mobley and William Wraith III.[4][5] Lyten develops a proprietary three-dimensional carbon material known as "3D Graphene", which is produced by converting methane into solid carbon and hydrogen gas via a carbon capture process.[6][7] This material is described by independent sources as chemically and structurally different from traditional two-dimensional graphene.[8] Lyten's 3D Graphene forms the foundation for several of its product lines, including lithium-sulfur batteries, lightweight composites, and environmental sensors.[9]
Lyten initially operated in a stealth‑mode period during which it concentrated on research and pilot production of its proprietary "3D Graphene" platform for advanced materials.[10] In September 2021, the company announced its emergence from stealth and introduced its "LytCell EV" lithium–sulfur battery platform targeted at automotive applications and noted prior work with U.S. government defence programs and later indicated its intention to serve aerospace markets.[11][12]
In 2023, Lyten signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Luxembourg government to establish its European headquarters in the country.[13][14]
Since its founding, Lyten has raised over $600 million in funding from a range of investors, including Stellantis, FedEx and the United States government in the form of project grants.[15][16] These investments have supported research and pilot production of lithium–sulfur battery technology, as well as expansion into construction and sensor markets.[17]
In October 2024, Lyten announced plans to construct a lithium–sulfur battery gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, with a projected investment of over $1 billion and a planned capacity of 10 gigawatt-hours per year.[18][19]
In 2025, Lyten acquired several European battery manufacturing facilities from the bankrupt Swedish battery company Northvolt, including gigfactories in Poland and Sweden.[20][21] The acquisition also included intellectual property portfolio.[22] Lyten also acquired Northvolt's electric vehicle battery gigafactory in Skellefteå, Sweden. Although the factory closed in March 2025, Lyten rehired most of the laid-off workforce and began preparations to restart production.[1][23][24]
Products and technology
3D Graphene
Lyten's 3D Graphene is manufactured through a proprietary process that converts methane, a greenhouse gas, into nanostructured carbon, simultaneously producing hydrogen gas. This novel carbon material is used in lightweight structural composites, electrical conductors, and sensors.[25] The company states that its three-dimensional version of carbon, similar to the properties of graphene, is tunable in morphology and electrical properties, allowing for use in multiple applications.[26][27]
Lithium–Sulfur batteries
Lyten has developed lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery cells as a lightweight alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.[17] The company’s batteries are designed without cobalt, nickel, or manganese minerals that are both geopolitically sensitive and environmentally costly to mine. According to the company, its lithium-sulfur cells provide up to 40% weight savings compared to traditional chemistries.[28][2]
In mid-2023, Lyten began semi-automated pilot-scale production of 6.5 Ah lithium–sulfur pouch cells in San Jose, California. These cells have been delivered as A-samples to customers in the automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors.[29][30]
In October 2024, Lyten announced it would invest over $1 billion to build a lithium–sulfur battery gigafactory in Nevada, with a target production capacity of 10 gigawatt-hours annually.[18]
Sensors and composites
In addition to batteries, Lyten manufactures chemical and environmental sensors based on its 3D graphene. These sensors are used in applications ranging from gas leak detection to industrial health and safety. The company also supplies lightweight graphene composites for aerospace and automotive customers.[31]
Strategic partnerships and investments
Lyten has attracted investment and support from both private and public sectors. Strategic investors include Stellantis, FedEx, Honeywell, Prime Movers Lab, and Walbridge Group.[32] In 2023, Stellantis Ventures announced a partnership with Lyten to advance the development of lithium–sulfur batteries for electric vehicles.[33] Lyten has also received financial support and commitments from the United States government.[34] In 2025, the U.S. Export–Import Bank issued a letter of interest for up to $650 million in financing to support Lyten's planned battery manufacturing facility in Nevada.[35]
In Europe, the Luxembourg Future Fund and the European Investment Fund have participated in Lyten’s funding rounds.[36] In the aerospace sector, Lyten partnered with AEVEX Aerospace to integrate lithium–sulfur batteries into unmanned aerial systems.[37][38]
Acquisitions and expansion
In 2025, Lyten acquired the European battery energy storage assets of the bankrupt company Northvolt, including manufacturing facilities in Poland and Sweden.[39] This acquisition included intellectual property and staff from Northvolt's former operations.[40]
Following the acquisition, Lyten established its European headquarters in Gdańsk, Poland, and reinstated several former Northvolt executives to lead operations in the region.[41][42]
Leadership
As of 2025, Dan Cook serves as Lyten’s President and Chief Executive Officer.[43] Lars Herlitz is Chairman of the Board.[44]
References
- ^ a b Milne, Richard (7 Aug 2025). "US battery start-up Lyten buys Northvolt out of bankruptcy". Financial Times.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b "From Graphene Composites to Wireless Sensors and EV Batteries - News". eepower.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ Pasternack, Alex (2024-03-19). "How this company is using graphene to build a cleaner, lighter, more powerful battery". Fast Company. Archived from the original on 2025-08-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "The 22 Largest Global Startup Funding Rounds of Q3 2023 – AlleyWatch". Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ^ "About Us". Battery Lithium-Sulfur | Electric Vehicles | Lyten 3D Graphene™ Supermaterials. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ^ "Lyten: Pioneering Tunable 3D Graphene for Next-Generation Lithium-Sulfur Batteries". Power Electronics News. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Q&A: Lyten says 3D Graphene will disrupt racing, automotive, and space". SAE International. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Lyten's 3D Graphene Could Build a Low-Carbon Future". C3 News Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Graphene Supermaterials Startup Lyten Raises $200 Million for Solutions to Decarbonize Hard-to-Abate Sectors". ESG Today. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ Brzeziński, Mateusz (2025-08-16). "Move Over Lithium: Aluminum and Sulfur Batteries Are Sparking an Energy Revolution". Bez Kabli. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ Markus, Frank (2021-10-21). "Lyten Promises Big Things for EVs From Its Lithium-Sulfur Battery". MotorTrend. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ Fisher, Ryan (2023-02-22). "Silicon Valley Startup Charts a Path to Cheaper EV Batteries". Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Silicon Valley graphene batteries pioneer Lyten to locate European HQ in Luxembourg". sanfrancisco.mae.lu. 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "US startup Lyten to establish European headquarters in Luxembourg - Trade & Invest". luxembourgtradeandinvest.com. 2025-11-14. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Stellantis Invests in Lyten's Breakthrough Lithium-Sulfur EV Battery Technology". Stellantis.
- ^ "Stellantis invests in US start-up Lyten to develop lithium-sulfur batteries". reuters.com.
- ^ a b Teah, Heng Yi; Zhang, Qi; Yasui, Kotaro; Noda, Suguru (2024-07-01). "Life cycle assessment of lithium-sulfur batteries with carbon nanotube hosts: Insights from lab experiments". Sustainable Production and Consumption. 48: 280–288. doi:10.1016/j.spc.2024.05.022. ISSN 2352-5509.
- ^ a b "US startup Lyten to invest over $1 bln in Nevada lithium-sulfur battery factory". October 15, 2024.
- ^ Sheridan, Kevin; Doyle, Nick (2024-10-15). "World's first lithium sulfur battery gigafactory coming to Reno area". fox5vegas.com. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Battery startup Lyten yet to convince carmakers over Northvolt revival". August 25, 2025.
- ^ LeVine, Steve (August 17, 2024). "The Inside Story of How a Tiny California Startup Grabbed Europe's Battery Giant". The Information.
- ^ Mannes, Marie. "US startup Lyten to buy bankrupt European battery maker Northvolt". reuters.com.
- ^ Hivert, Anne-Françoise (22 Nov 2025). "The fall of Northvolt, Sweden's symbol of green reindustrialization". Le Monde.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Lyten completes Northvolt acquisition: Set to manufacture lithium-sulfur batteries at gigascale and kickstart R&D in Sweden". Energy Storage. 27 February 2026.
- ^ Lovati, Stefano (2025-10-24). "Lyten Pioneers Tunable 3D Graphene for Next-Gen Li-S Batteries". Power Electronics News. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "3D Graphene". Battery Lithium-Sulfur | Electric Vehicles | Lyten 3D Graphene™ Supermaterials. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Lyten opens first 3D Graphene fabrication facility | Graphene-Info". www.graphene-info.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "U.S. startup bets on lithium-sulfur to challenge China's EV battery dominance". www.autonews.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Lyten ships lithium-sulfur battery A-samples for automotive, consumer electronics, and military customer evaluation". www.defenseandmunitions.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "San Jose battery maker ships samples for automotive and military evaluation". Silicon Valley Business Journal. 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ Lovati, Stefano (2025-10-24). "Lyten Pioneers Tunable 3D Graphene for Next-Gen Li-S Batteries". Power Electronics News. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Battery startup Lyten raises $200 million in new funding round".
- ^ "Stellantis (STLA) Invests in Lyten for EV Battery Technology". nasdaq.com.
- ^ Connolly, Paul (2025-12-05). "Lyten acquisition twist: Northvolt revival under U.S. flag?". www.norran.se. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "San Jose lithium battery manufacturer secures cash for expansion". Silicon Valley Business Journal. 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Luxembourg-backed startup acquires Europe's largest energy storage factory". Luxembourg Times. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Lyten and AEVEX Team Up to Equip Unmanned Aerial Systems with US-Made Lithium-Sulfur Batteries". www.chemanalyst.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Lyten, Aevex Team On U.S.-Sourced Batteries For U.S.-Made Drones | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ Shah, Viral (2025-08-13). "Lithium battery maker Lyten buys further Northvolt assets in Europe". Fastmarkets. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "California Start-Up Will Buy Assets of Bankrupt Swedish Battery Maker". 2025-08-07. Archived from the original on 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ "Lyten brings back Northvolt executives following asset acquisition". reuters.com.
- ^ Shah, Viral (2025-08-13). "Lithium battery maker Lyten buys further Northvolt assets in Europe". Fastmarkets. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ Shah, Junaid. "Lyten Acquires 6 GWh Dwa Battery ESS From Northvolt". www.saurenergy.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ Connolly, Paul (2025-08-07). "Lyten rescues Northvolt Ett with immediate restart plan". www.norran.se. Retrieved 2026-01-23.