The American specialist in lithium-ion battery materials, Group14 Technologies, announced the closing of a $463 million funding round led by SK Inc. Several institutional investors participated in the deal, including Porsche Investments, ATL, OMERS, Decarbonization Partners, Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, and Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund. The fundraising aims to scale up the production of the patented silicon-based material SCC55, developed to meet the rising global demand for energy storage.
This financial operation is accompanied by a strategic restructuring of Group14’s industrial presence in Asia. The company acquired the remaining shares of its joint venture with SK Inc., thereby taking full control of the South Korean plant located in Sangju. Commissioned in 2024, this 10-gigawatt-hour facility produces SCC55 at industrial scale for manufacturers of electric vehicle and consumer electronics batteries.
Strengthening regional supply chains
Group14 identifies this acquisition as a key lever to strengthen regional supply chains in a context of geopolitical and trade tensions. The South Korean plant, called BAM-3, is the group’s third active battery materials facility, alongside two others in Washington state, United States.
The Sangju site is located in the heart of the world’s largest battery production hub, providing direct access to the company’s Asian customers. According to provided data, more than 100 manufacturers of electric vehicle and consumer electronics batteries are already supplied from this facility.
Global industrial expansion and European footprint
In addition to its facilities in Asia and the United States, Group14 is also expanding in Europe. The company is currently building a silane gas plant in Germany, designed to provide a critical precursor for next-generation battery production. This infrastructure aims to support the growing demand for silicon-anode battery materials in the European Union.
ATL, a subsidiary of Japanese group TDK Corporation, confirmed that Group14’s SCC55 technology is already integrated into millions of batteries powering artificial intelligence-enabled smartphones. The company also expressed support for broader distribution of this material to additional industrial players.
