Speciality 3D printing material developer6k设法筹集了1.02亿美元的D系列资金。
由科赫战略平台领导，并由Energy Impact Partners,阿尔伯马尔,HG Ventures和6K的现有支持者，这项投资是两项总计，总计可达1.5亿美元。该公司旨在通过其系列D的进行，旨在扩大其金属粉末和阴极生产能力，以便能够更好地解决对锂离子电池需求的快速增长。
“Lithium-ion battery markets will increase tenfold in the next decade, fueled by growth in EVs, as well as supporting critical infrastructure for telecom back-up, data centers, and power plants,” says Aaron Bent, CEO of 6K. “The fact that there is no lithium-ion battery material production on US soil is a concern for both national security and for the industries that are relying on these critical materials.”
“ Unimelt”等离子体技术
6K的产品总部位于马萨诸塞州北安多佛，围绕其专有的Unimelt等离子体技术展开。在材料的生产中，该过程可以使回收的原料（如磨坊和转化为3D可打印的金属粉末）的转换有效地提供了气体或等离子体雾化的替代方案，据说可以提供一种提高可持续性水平，成本和效率。
Since 6K’s energy division, 6K Energy,established its Center of Excellence2021年4月，该技术还被部署以开发锂离子电池材料。在这种应用中，据说UNIMELT过程可以直接控制粉末的物理和化学颗粒质量，从而产生原料，从而有助于创建便宜的EV电池和电力库。
Over the last year, 6K has sought to expand on its production capabilities in this area, raising5100万美元用于电池材料研发, as well asacquiring Specialty Metallurgical Productsandpartnering with Albemarle to develop batteries, that are expected to feature previously unseen levels of energy storage performance.
科赫战略平台MD Jeremy Bezdek说：“自成立以来，我们一直在遵循6K Energy的进步，发现6K的Unimelt等离子体技术提供了在美国土壤上建立的竞争性生产过程。”“他们创造了一种变革性的电池材料生产和回收生态系统，提供了一种能够通过各种化学作用的全面生产的多功能技术。”
“This innovation will help realize advancements in energy transformation and the battery value chain.”
6k’s expected $150 million windfall
6k’s Series D funding round is being led by Koch Strategic Platforms, a subsidiary of theKoch Investments Group（KIG），为其母公司寻找投资和收购机会。在过去的十年中，KIG的子公司在公共和私人资本市场中都部署了超过600亿美元的资金，以此作为扩大其在广泛行业的利益的一种手段。
Back in January 2019, Koch Disruptive Technologies, another KIG-affiliated firm, led a$160 million investment in Desktop Metal, which has since gone on to become one of the highest profile companies in the industry,launching a series of takeovers.
With its latest 3D printing investment, KIG’s Strategic Platforms subsidiary has led a round that’s expected to hit $150 million by the time it closes in Spring 2022. As well as seeing it “add a limited group of strategic investors,” 6K says the move will help finance the opening of its $30 million Battery Center of Excellence and its first 10-20 GWh cathode plant, set to open and enter production in August 2022 and 2024.
“6K is the only company capable of battery material production at costs lower than Asia, while also reducing impact on the environment by 70%-90%,” concludes Bent. “The investment from Koch Strategic Platforms not only brings the capital required to fuel our growth, but equally important they bring unparalleled commitment and reach within the battery value chain.”
“诸如此类的破坏性方法是遣返该行业的唯一可行方法。”
Bringing 3D printed batteries to market
Even though the 3D printed energy device market remains at an early stage of development, there are already a number of firms seeking to commercialize related technologies. One of which isBlackstone Resources, a Swiss investment firm that’s taken an interest in this area, and currently aims to bring anew 3D printed sodium-ion batteryto market by 2025.
The likes of theSakuu Corporation另一方面，打算启动他们的最新high-density 3D printed batteryeven sooner, in 2023. Earlier this year, the firm revealed that it had reached a new milestone in the development of its device, in that the battery reached an energy density of 800 Wh/L, edging it closer to a market-leading performance level.
在其他地方，3D打印机制造商光中心has also got in on the act, byestablishing a dedicated battery R&D divisionto design its own energy-efficient storage devices containing 3D printed electrodes. It has been reported that the company aims to leverage the technology developed there to create economical fuel cells for特斯拉的upcoming Giga plant.
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Featured image shows 6K’s Battery Center of Excellence in North Andover, MA. Photo via 6K.
