US-based 6K, a developer of specialist 3D printing materials, has raised $51 million in a Series C financing round to help alleviate lithium battery materials supply-chain risks.
With this investment, 6K will complete its Battery Development Center of Excellence, double its 6K Energy team, triple its production capacity for 3D printing metal powders, increase the range of powder product offerings and expand global commercial sales.
The 33,000ft2 Center of Excellence will focus on the development of new sustainable battery materials for energy storage devices. The center will be equipped with up to 10 of the firm’s UniMelt systems with the aim of securing clean energy-based battery material production in the US.
6K’s patented UniMelt system is based on the firm’s microwave plasma process, which converts recycled feedstock such as millings and turnings into 3D printable metal powders. The process promises an advanced level of sustainability over technologies such as gas and plasma atomisation in terms of efficiency and cost.
The process is capable of producing a continuous stream of advanced performance materials in as little as two seconds, compared to chemical systems that can take two to three days to produce batches.
The UniMelt platform is now being applied to battery materials, with 6K estimating that water usage could be cut by 90% if a conventional battery cathode manufacturing facility was to be replaced with the UniMelt process, while energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions could be slashed by more than two thirds.
The production process can produce a variety of materials suitable for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, semiconductors, 3D printing powders, advanced ceramics, and electronic materials.
Zander Arkin, chief investment officer of Volta Energy Technologies and 6K board director, said: “Not only does 6K and its UniMelt platform align perfectly to our investment strategy, but the company is well-poised to impact advanced material manufacturing for electric vehicle batteries with a solution that changes the dynamic of sustainability in the supply chain for battery materials.
The financing round was led by Volta Energy Technologies, and saw input from new investors Catalus Capital and S Cap/Prithvi Ventures, alongside participation from existing supporters Anzu Partners, Launch Capital, Material Impact, and RKS Ventures.
