Lyten aims to boost micromobility, space, drone and defense markets with the world’s first lithium-sulfur battery plant.

Rendering courtesy of Lyten

Last week, California-based supermaterial applications company Lyten announced a $1 billion investment to establish the first lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory in Reno, Nevada. The company will construct a 125-acre campus that supports the full lifecycle of the manufacturing process, producing 10 gigawatt-hours of batteries by 2027. These high-energy-density battery cells are 40% lighter in comparison to lithium-ion and 60% lighter than lithium iron phosphate batteries. “Nevada has been our preferred location from the start. We have continuously felt welcomed by the leaders of Reno and Washoe County,” said Lyten Chief Battery Technology Officer Celina Mikolajczak. “We need a talented, innovative workforce and this partnership will deliver just that.” Production of cathode active materials, lithium metal anodes and complete assembly of the lithium-sulfur battery cells will take place at the 1.25-million-sq.-ft. facility to be located at the Reno AirLogistics Park. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, creating 1,000 new jobs in the region.

Walmart looks to simplify its Mexico warehouse operations by constructing the country’s first automated distribution center.

Photo courtesy of Walmart

Walmart is heading to the central Mexico state of Guanajuato to construct a new AI-powered distribution warehouse. The $500 million facility located in the city of Silao will cover over 23 acres and cater to the needs of over 600 stores across Mexico. The facility will be Walmart’s first fully automated distribution center in Mexico, incorporating an AI robotic technological platform the company uses in its U.S. operations. The technology is made by Massachusetts-based automation platform company Symbotic, which specializes in robotic warehouses. Once complete in 2027, the new warehouse is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Hyundai Mobis President Lee Gyu Suk and Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico announce new investments in Novaky and Zilina.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis has plans for its third electrification hub in Europe as it heads to Novaky, Slovakia. Last week, the company signed a $257 million investment agreement with the Slovak government for a power electric (PE) systems facility, representing Hyundai’s first dedicated European location to manufacturing the product. The integrated drive units are a critical component to producing EVs and the new facility has the capacity to produce 300,000 units per year. The over-1.1-million-sq.-ft. plant is expected to become operational by the end of 2025. As part to the investment announcement, Hyundai additionally said it would invest $69 million to incorporate new facilities at its Zilina site, located an hour north, to produce braking systems and airbags. A release from Mobis noted the new facility will complement an already operational battery systems plant in the Czech Republic and a battery system plant now under construction in Navarre, Spain.

Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore, edited by Adam Bruns