6K, a producer of engineered supplies for lithium-ion batteries, has raised $102 million within the first of two Collection D funding tranches. The spherical was led by Koch Strategic Platforms, an funding arm of fossil gas large Koch Industries, with participation by buyers Vitality Impression Companions, Albemarle, HG Ventures and others.
6K will use the brand new money to develop manufacturing of premium 3D metallic powders in its 6K Additive division and to speed up the deployment of cathode manufacturing vegetation in its 6K Vitality division.
6K is working with companions all through the battery provide chain to construct an “end-to-end resolution,” collaborating with Albemarle for the sustainable manufacturing of lithium merchandise, and Heritage/Retriev for the manufacturing of cathode from end-of-life batteries. 6K will open its Battery Middle of Excellence in August 2022, and is working by way of website choice for a 10-20 GWh cathode plant that’s to start manufacturing in early 2024.
6K’s proprietary UniMelt system is a microwave plasma course of that produces supplies utilized in batteries and different industrial markets, and is designed to be quick and environmentally pleasant. Based on the corporate, the UniMelt course of replaces a three-day, multi-step, high-waste chemical co-precipitation (hydro-met) course of with one that’s ultra-clean and ultra-fast.
6K says implementing its resolution for the manufacturing of NMC811 has the potential to avoid wasting billions of {dollars} and eradicate stable and liquid hazardous waste whereas lowering water utilization by 90% and vitality utilization as much as 70%. The UniMelt techniques are already deployed in 24/7 high-volume manufacturing at 6K Additive’s 45-acre, ISO9001-certified facility.
“Lithium-ion battery markets will improve tenfold within the subsequent decade. The truth that there is no such thing as a lithium-ion battery materials manufacturing on US soil is a priority for each nationwide safety and for the industries which can be counting on these crucial supplies,” mentioned CEO Aaron Bent. “6K is the one firm able to battery materials manufacturing at prices decrease than Asia, whereas additionally lowering impression on the atmosphere by 70-90%. Disruptive approaches reminiscent of this are the one viable strategy to repatriate this trade.”
“We’ve been following 6K’s progress since inception and have discovered that 6K’s UniMelt plasma know-how delivers a aggressive manufacturing course of constructed on US soil,” mentioned Jeremy Bezdek, Managing Director of Koch Strategic Platforms. “They’ve created a transformative battery materials manufacturing and recycling ecosystem, delivering a flexible know-how able to full-scale manufacturing with varied chemistries.”
Supply: 6K
