World’s First Lithium-Sulfur Gigafactory Canceled

Plans for what would have been the world’s first lithium-sulfur gigafactory near the Reno Stead Airport are no more.

The San Jose-based startup Lyten had envisioned a $1 billion facility that would produce lithium-sulfur battery cells up to 40 percent lighter than traditional lithium batteries. The proposed 1.25 million square-foot factory was to break ground in 2025, with its first phase operational by 2028.

However, the project is no longer moving forward after the company was unable to finalize a lease. Lissa Butterfield, manager of planning and environmental services for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport Authority, told the Ward 4 neighborhood advisory board earlier this month that negotiations had broken down.

The factory had also faced strong local opposition due to its proximity to residential neighborhoods in Stead and Silver Knolls. Many residents expressed concerns about potential industrial hazards, referencing large-scale battery fires such as the one in Moss Landing, California.