August 21, 2024: Northvolt this week announced it was shifting development of its next-generation lithium-metal battery technology from California to its R&D campus, Northvolt Labs, in Västerås, Sweden.

The move will drastically affect the some 200 Cuberg employees that work in the San Francisco Bay area. Cuberg was acquired by Northvolt in 2021 and has since grown its workforce from 25 at the time of the acquisition to some 10 times greater.

“The transfer reflects a strategic move to consolidate the R&D and industrialization of Northvolt’s cell product portfolio — featuring lithium-ion, sodium-ion and lithium-metal — into one location, where future development of the technologies benefits from a platform of expertise and capabilities that is unmatched in the Western world,” said Northvolt, which is portraying the consolidation as a positive move.

Richard Wang, the founder and former CEO of Cuberg posted a message of support on LinkedIn: “Today is a sad day for me [with this announcement} … as I look back on our shared legacy, what I will remember and treasure the most is the close relationships and friendships that we all built as we embarked on this industry-defining effort together.

“For my dear Cuberg colleagues: know that you did everything in your power to make things succeed, and your efforts will never be forgotten. As difficult as things may seem right now, memories and relationships are enduring in our small community of battery enthusiasts.

“For recruiters and the battery industry at large: there are now roughly 200 of the most respected and capable engineers and managers in the battery industry looking for new opportunities. Make the most of it!”

Cuberg employees have been encouraged to apply to open positions matching their skillset across Northvolt, including Northvolt Labs and Northvolt Ett, or Northvolt North America, located in Montreal, Canada — a region benefitting from relevant expertise in advanced battery technology, according to a Northvolt statement.

Sami Haikala, Northvolt chief development officer, said the consolidation should prove beneficial for its research efforts: “Bringing lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-metal technologies together under one roof at Northvolt Labs creates a unique environment for cross-innovation and accelerated development,” he said.