Behind the battery: The technology, sustainability and people of Beyonder
Since 2016, Beyonder has pioneered the development of the world’s greenest high-power battery, becoming Norway’s first company with a dedicated battery production facility. Sustainability and unique technology is a part of our DNA, and have always defined us. Years of groundbreaking innovation and lessons learned have positioned Beyonder to take the leap from an innovative start-up to a commercial leader in high-capacity battery technology, branded as BePowered.
The beginning and founding idea
Beyonder were founded with a vision to develop sustainable batteries optimized for industry and heavy transport. Exploring forest residues like sawdust as a raw material for battery-grade carbon, founder Svein Kvernstuen and his early team sought to differentiate from mass-market lithium-ion batteries used in consumer electronics and private cars, dominated by multinational giants.
Founder of Beyonder, Svein Kvernstuen explains;
– Heavy transport, maritime, and construction machinery often prioritize total ownership costs over just maximizing driving range. Fast charging minimizes downtime, and commercial users may charge multiple times daily. Therefore, long battery life without needing oversized batteries is crucial. These sectors also have great potential for significant emission reductions.
Beyonder’s early innovation using sawdust technology established the company as a pioneer in sustainable battery development. While this is no longer the main focus, Beyonder continues to explore biomass, such as forest residues, as a potential ingredient for battery-grade carbon.
An urgent problem we are aiming to solve
Tove Nilsen Ljungquist, CEO of Beyonder is pinpointing what is needed in terms of the green transition;
– Beyonder has grown from a startup to a commercial business with products in demand worldwide. As a leading supplier of high-capacity battery technology, we are driven by the urgent need for decarbonization. This energy transition depends on storage solutions that are economical, sustainable, and safe—an area where Beyonders breakthrough technology excels. Our proven, scalable technology bridges this gap, and with a strong organizational foundation, we are ready to deliver.
From the innovation lab in Beyonder battery center in Norway. Photo; Beyonder AS / Marius Johnsen
Key contributors to the green transition
When faced with an urgent problem to solve, Beyonder sees solutions within the range of our battery technology.
EVP Sales & Solutions, Terje Eiken further explains how;
– When developing and choosing the best fit battery technology for your application’s needs you have to make a compromise between power, energy and cycle life. We have brought to the market, qualified for giga-scale mass production through outsourcing partnerships, a battery technology with focus on high-power density and long cycle life, known for very high charge/discharge rates, and without use of scarce materials.
This technology is a best fit for applications like eMobility, maritime sector, grid support, power back-up and charging infrastructure. All these are key contributors to the green transition.
– Beyonder battery technology can solve these applications’ challenges with use of less batteries than the case is with use of traditional NMC or LFP technologies, even with a longer life expectation, and thus with a lower environmental footprint, says Terje Eiken.
High-capacity battery technology with BePowered
Hanho Lee, CTO of Beyonder explains the BePowered technology;
– Imagine baking a cake: you need the right ingredients and precise techniques to get the perfect result. This is how Beyonder developed the proprietary recipe for BePowered cells—crafted with care to combine cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency.
– Unlike conventional batteries, which primarily serve EV markets, BePowered cells are designed for high power and extended lifetimes, supporting the entire green energy ecosystem. They enable sustainable energy solutions across industries, going beyond the EV-focused approach of the traditional battery industry, Hanho Lee explains.
From the innovation line at Beyonder offices. Photo; Beyonder AS / Marius Johnsen
Investments of a pioneering and effective start-up
Capital is the lifeblood of turning ideas into commercial products, especially during long periods without revenue. Despite challenges such as the halt of the green wave on Euronext Growth, the global pandemic, and setbacks in the European battery industry, Beyonder has made significant progress in securing funding.
– I believe that Beyonder's success in developing a finished product with relatively small budgets proves the company's ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions. Much of the key to this success also lies in the solid shareholder base that was established early in the project. Our largest owners have consistently supported the company’s strategy over the years by participating in funding rounds. Now, we are approaching the time for payback, says CFO Bjarte Magnussen.
Operational mode
Beyonder has secured an annual production capacity of 2.4 GWh. By leveraging existing overcapacity at established facilities, we can produce BePowered cells efficiently and scale quickly in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way. Building a new plant would take years and involve significantly higher costs.
Thomas Bergan, EVP Operations states;
– I strongly believe that access to data is key to succeeding over time and to staying competitive. By utilizing data in our improvement work, we can develop the product and the processes by understanding the complex dependencies between the product performance, the chemistry and the process. Our product has gone through a full qualification process at our external partners' facilities with commercial cells now being produced on mass-production lines. This has been a great team effort between Beyonder and our partner.
The high-capacity BePowered battery cell. Norway. Photo; Beyonder AS / Marius Johnsen
Digitalization as a strategic support for Beyonder
Beyonder has developed a digital roadmap centred on scalable and structured data storage to enhance transparency and learning.
– We are investing in advanced cloud-based solutions for flexibility, security, and global access. Robust data governance ensures accuracy and accessibility, supporting better decisions. With advanced analytics and machine learning, we extract insights, identify trends, and predict needs to continuously improve operations and services, says Kenneth Skråmestø, VP Digitalization.
Emphasizing data security, Beyonder implements stringent measures to protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats. These efforts enhance traceability in the supply chain, support transparency, and enable continuous improvement, positioning Beyonder to leverage digital opportunities and stay ahead of industry trends.
The Beyonders
Our headquarters in Sandnes, Norway, is home to a diverse workforce with expertise from around the world. Alongside developing innovative high-capacity battery cells, we are committed to sustainability across the entire value chain. By using sustainable materials in cell design, we aim to accelerate industrial electrification with high-performance energy storage systems tailored for future energy needs.
CEO of Beyonder, Tove N. Ljungquist proudly emphasize;
– The Beyonder team is among the most talented teams I ever have worked with within my 33 years of industrial experience. The technical insight and innovative working style, combined with a good portion of stamina, have finally given results! I am very humbled to have been chosen to lead these fantastic individuals into a new era of commercialization.
Beyonders in action. Photo; Beyonder AS / Marius Johnsen
Although our story and focus might have shifted over the years, our mission remains the same; To develop sustainable solutions for a brighter tomorrow.
Read more about Beyonder here