United Airlines invests in battery firm for greener ground operations

United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL) has invested in battery manufacturer Natron Energy with the expectation that Natron's sodium-ion batteries can help it further electrify its ground operations, it was announced on Wednesday.

The airline could use the batteries in airport ground equipment like pushback tractors and operations at the gate. At the moment, it has more than 12,000 units of motorised ground equipment, of which about one third are electric.

The investment, of undisclosed amount, will support Natron in scaling production at its factory in Holland, Michigan, which is due to start mass production of sodium-ion batteries in 2023.

These batteries offer advantages over lithium-ion ones related to power density, recharging speed, as well as safety as they are nonflammable, and could help the aviation industry meet its decarbonisation and electric vehicle goals, the companies said.

According to the news release, United is the first major airline to invest in a battery maker, based on public announcements. Earlier in November, it unveiled an investment in NEXT Renewable Fuels Inc, which is developing a biofuel refinery.

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