FREYR: A Lean, Green, Battery Making Machine

This is the first entry in a regular series on our portfolios companies that we believe are at forefront of current trends in their respective areas, characterized by innovation, technological advances, and superior management.

Go Leaner, Go Greener

In our view, there few companies as well positioned to benefit from the tailwinds of energy transition policy in the U.S. and Europe than FREYR^*.

Based in Norway, FREYR manufactures lithium–ion based batteries for industrial and electric vehicle (EV) applications, using a novel process that reduces cost by over 50% versus conventional methods.¹ What’s more, FREYR does this with a dramatically lower carbon footprint by – among other means of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions – using 100% renewable energy to power its facilities.

As we build out the new energy supply chain to focus on domestic supply and with a lower environmental impact in mind—lean, green, and ultimately highly competitive – is where we look to be positioned.

Battery Landscape Shifts Dramatically

Prior to 2020, the top 10 battery manufacturers were all headquartered in China, Japan and South Korea, with the top three – Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL)^*, LG Energy Solutions^*, and Panasonic – comprising approximately 70% of the total market.² Meanwhile, the U.S. only accounted for around 10% of total EV production and 7% of global battery capacity, while Europe contributed very little to the overall battery supply chain (other than through cobalt markets, where it has averaged around 20% of global processing capacity).³

By 2022, the landscape for battery manufacturing had shifted dramatically, with nearly every major auto manufacturer announcing plans for EV model launches within the decade. A rapid increase in EV sales during the pandemic, coupled with the Russia–Ukraine war, had placed tremendous pressure on supply chains and input prices. In addition, a slew of net–zero ambitions globally for transport electrification resulted in an estimated tenfold increase in planned EV battery capacity by 2030.

Why “Cheaper” Matters

When we look toward potential winners in the battery manufacturing sector – a capital intensive, competitive margin business – we are looking for companies with a sustainable business model focused on innovation and cost competitiveness.

FREYR licenses its manufacturing process from a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) startup, 24M. 24M’s process takes a conventional 15–step battery production process and reduces it to 5.⁴ The end result is a battery with the same performance attributes, but manufactured at a meaningfully faster rate using less equipment and materials.

Most Capital–Efficient “Gigafactory” in Europe?

Source: FREYR. Data as of June 2022. Estimated manufacturing costs per FREYR’s 2Q 2022 Earnings Presentation.

A battery typically accounts for around 40% of the total cost of an EV.⁵ So, a structurally cheaper battery stands to be highly competitive to auto manufacturers—particularly those trying to innovate and capture price–sensitive consumers all while battling dramatic cost inflation.

Net Zero EVs start with a clean battery

FREYR’s Giga Arctic Factory in Norway – slated for a 2024 start – is expected to be among the most capital–efficient battery plants in Europe. Based on the company’s current projections, the plant will have a capacity of around 43 gigawatt–hours, making it one of the largest battery manufacturers on the continent.⁶

Location is a critical element of the factory’s potential success as it sits within a region of Norway that is supplied by an abundant amount of low–cost renewable energy. Combined with its efficient manufacturing process, we believe this should result in a total manufacturing cost of around less than half that of current competitors’, globally. The factory’s carbon footprint should also be meaningfully lower – roughly 80% less than the global average⁷ – which reflects the ultimate sustainability of its battery.

Significantly Lower Carbon Footprint

Source: FREYR. Data as of June 2022. Estimated carbon emissions reductions per FREYR’s 2Q 2022 Earnings Presentation.

This particular business model is being expanded through joint ventures into the U.S., where it should remain competitive with its innovative manufacturing process and, additionally, benefit from the recent federal level incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The energy transition is undoubtedly disrupting the current flow of how we produce and consume electricity. Acknowledging that transitions can also take time, we remain committed to finding companies that can innovate and operate sustainably, with an eye towards the future.

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