Lancaster energy firm opens new £20m sodium battery manufacturing plant

A Lancaster energy firm has unveiled a new multi million pound plant producing  ‘next generation’ battery technology.

With £20m in funding and support from Innovate UK’s Future Economy Investment Partnership programme, LiNa has opened a pilot manufacturing line to scale its next-generation battery platform

The company’s batteries – built on salt and a proprietary ceramic electrolyte – are engineered for solar-rich regions to turn sunlight into resilient, always-available electricity.

Cat Smith MP, Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre, officially opened the facility

The facility is the first-of-a-kind in Lancaster – marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey to bring its technology to global markets.

Located at White Cross Industrial Estate, the new 8,000 sq ft pilot line sits adjacent to LiNa’s two state-of-the-art laboratories, where its core R&D is carried out. This tight integration of innovation and production is central to LiNa’s strategy – ensuring scientific breakthroughs rapidly translate into real-world impact.

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, LiNa’s technology is built on salt – one of the world’s most abundant and sustainable materials. At its core, a proprietary ceramic electrolyte delivers high performance, exceptional safety, and long-duration storage without relying on scarce or flammable components.

LiNa will utilise the new facility to export its batteries to customers such as Tata Power in India, as well as to strategic partners in the Middle East. where solar energy is abundant enough to power entire grids – but only if it can be stored effectively.

Coupling batteries with solar is essential to transform intermittent sunlight into a stable, 24/7 energy source. Most storage technologies struggle to operate effectively in the intense heat and demanding conditions of these regions, but LiNa’s salt-based systems are purpose-built to thrive where others falter – unlocking our vision to deliver the lowest-cost, most reliable solar energy on Earth.

Founded in 2017 as a spin-out from Lancaster University, LiNa Energy has grown from a lab project into a serious contender in global energy storage. With £20 million in backing including c £1 million from Innovate UK’s Future Enterprise investor Partnerships (FEIP) and a team of 35 experts.

“This is a defining moment,” said Will Tope, CEO of LiNa Energy.

“While headlines have dominated the battery industry, we’ve stayed focused on what matters most – trusting the science and a dogged commitment to honing and finessing the technology. This new facility is the result of years of disciplined engineering and a clear-eyed view of what the market truly needs. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved.”

The opening ceremony was officiated by Cat Smith MP, Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Wyre, and attended by Councillor Margaret Pattison, Mayor of Lancaster.

“I am delighted that LiNa has chosen to make its home in the North West and was proud to open LiNa’s state-of-the-art factory, here in Lancaster,” said Cat Smith MP.

“This facility will create numerous skilled jobs for the local community, and will contribute to our shared zero-emission goals. I look forward to the positive impact this investment will have on our region for years to come.”

With the support from Innovate UK and a growing base of private investors, LiNa is now entering its next phase – scaling a radically different kind of battery technology to meet the world’s demand for reliable, affordable clean power by enabling energy storage where it matters most.