Koura Acquires Battery Technology Company Silatronix to Meet Growing Global Demand for Energy Storage
BOSTON, November 2021 – Koura, a global leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of fluoroproducts and technologies and part of the Orbia community of companies, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Madison, Wisconsin-based Silatronix, a leading battery technology start-up. Koura is executing on a comprehensive energy materials strategy and this acquisition complements its capabilities in energy storage deployment—presently, an area of accelerated need and demand for a renewable future.
Silatronix was established in 2007 as a high-tech incubator for battery technology by Dr. Robert West and Dr. Robert Hamers, both of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With support from the Department of Energy and the Office of Naval Research, Silatronix has built an industry-wide reputation for developing breakthrough solutions and electrolyte technologies for lithium-ion batteries.
Koura is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of fluoroproducts. Koura works with key industry players and researchers in the lithium-ion battery industry to develop and manufacture a wide range of advanced fluorine materials including electrolyte salts, binders and high-performance electrolyte additives. Silatronix brings unique expertise in fluorosilane additives for Lithium-ion batteries and an industry-wide reputation for developing breakthrough solutions that deliver improved battery safety and performance in a range of applications, from electric vehicles to stationary, grid-scale storage.
Gregg Smith, President of Koura, said, “Alongside our unique ownership of raw material assets and expertise in fluorine technology, Koura is committed to developing next- generation battery technologies that can deliver improved safety, performance and sustainability. Bringing on board Silatronix’s expertise and technologies will further enable us to achieve these goals, support the advancement of the entire lithium-ion battery industry, and accelerate renewable adoption.”
“Koura’s acquisition of Silatronix is a key step in delivering our advanced electrolyte solutions to the lithium-ion battery markets,” said Mark Zager, CEO of Silatronix. “We are excited to continue building on our strong foundation while supporting Koura’s growth in offering downstream battery products from their material assets.”
Miki Oljaca, Head of Growth and Technology at Koura, added, “We are excited to welcome the Silatronix team to Koura. Silatronix’s electrolyte technology and battery expertise complements Koura’s strategic efforts to develop and recycle battery materials, as well as build an integrated and secure supply chain for lithium-ion batteries in North America, Europe, and other key markets”
With its focus on improving the sustainability and efficiency of lithium-ion batteries, Koura and Orbia recently led a $70 million investment round in Battery Resourcers, a closed-loop lithium-ion battery recycler based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Koura is engaged in several initiatives with Battery Resourcers to develop recycling technologies, which the Silatronix team will also support.