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KOCH INVESTS: Building a Conflict-Free Electric Vehicle 'Super Cell'
KOCH INVESTS: Building a Conflict-Free Electric Vehicle 'Super Cell'
Published 09-22-22
Submitted by Koch Industries
Koch Strategic Platforms is leading a $90 million Series D investment round in Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a company using its own high throughput methods to rapidly develop new battery materials – all in pursuit of a “super cell” for electric vehicles (EV), combining three emerging technologies, including a cobalt- and nickel-free high energy cathode, a composite solid-state electrolyte and a lithium metal anode.
WHY IT MATTERS: Not only is the next-gen cell targeting more than a 90% improvement in energy density over today’s top batteries, but its components are also all being developed with conflict-free minerals (removing cobalt and nickel from the manufacturing process), improving supply chain transparency and visibility.
WHY KOCH INVESTED: This is Koch’s second investment in Wildcat in recent years, part of nearly $1.9 billion in energy transformation investments over the last two years, says KSP Managing Director Jeremy Bezdek. “Wildcat is a visionary company, focusing on transformative solutions to the issues limiting the lithium-ion battery market.”
- The funding round will be used to support the rapid development and commercialization of the battery cell – adding staff, research capacity, and scaling up capabilities with the goal of having the “super cell” ready for commercialization discussions in two years. Other investors in the round include Eastman Kodak and Fifth Wall Climate.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “As a real-world laboratory for multiple industries, Koch is an ideal partner to help us develop the next generation of EV batteries,” says Wildcat CEO Mark Gresser. “We’re glad to partner with them once again as we work to bring a breakthrough product to market.”
GO DEEPER: Learn more about Koch’s investments in energy transformation.
Koch Industries
Koch Industries
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Our life’s work is to help people improve their lives by making and innovating products and services our customers value. Our focus is on delivering mutual benefit: Win-win outcomes that make life better for customers and employees alike.
Based in Wichita, Kansas, Koch Industries is one of the largest private companies in America. A diverse set of businesses and industries across the world, we work together to keep improving and exploring new ways to make life even better.
Koch companies are involved in manufacturing, agriculture, pulp and paper, packaging, consumer products, building materials, glass, automotive components, refining, renewable energy, chemicals and polymers, electronics, enterprise software, data analytics, medical products, engineered technology, project services, recycling, supply chain and logistics, global commodities trading, and investments. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested more than $150 billion in growth and improvements. With a presence in about 60 countries, Koch companies employ more than 120,000 people worldwide, with about half of those in the United States.
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