In 2021, Northvolt acquired Cuberg, a California-based battery technology company with 25 employees. Since then, the company has expanded to more than 200 employees and has concentrated on developing lithium-metal battery technology.
Battery manufacturer Northvolt announced on Tuesday that it would centralize and relocate its lithium-metal battery technology development from California to its research and development centre in Vasteras, Sweden. This shift is part of a broader strategic review aimed at refining its expansion strategies following various challenges, including production delays and the cancellation of a 2 billion euro order from a customer.
The company indicated that this move is a strategic effort to consolidate the research and development and industrialization of Northvolt’s cell product portfolio into a single location. This decision follows Northvolt’s acquisition of the California-based battery technology company Cuberg in 2021, which started with 25 employees and has since expanded to over 200, primarily focusing on lithium-metal battery technology. Employees at Cuberg have been encouraged to seek positions that align with their skills at various Northvolt locations, including Northvolt Labs and Northvolt Ett, or at Northvolt North America in Montreal, Canada—a region known for its expertise in advanced battery technology.
Shauna McIntyre, CEO of Cuberg, stated that Northvolt Labs is a top-tier battery R&D campus ideally suited as a new hub for lithium-metal technology. This move not only enhances Northvolt’s commitment to advanced battery development but also positions it well to collaborate with industry leaders on a promising technology.
As part of this transition, Northvolt has encouraged employees at the affected unit to apply for open positions within other branches of the company.
