Delft-based Kalpana Systems, a machinery manufacturer, has secured €3.5M in fresh funding from Fairtree Elevant Ventures, SIG InnoVentures, and the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam.
This funding will help the Dutch company bring its innovative spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (sALD) technology to market. The technology is crucial for applying ultra-thin layers used in next-generation solar panels, batteries, and packaging.
Kalpana Systems claims its machine offers faster production speeds, reduced costs, and efficient use of raw materials, supporting advancements in the energy transition.
David Evans, MD at Fairtree Elevant Ventures, says, “Kalpana Systems has an incredibly talented team and ground-breaking technology which can crack ALD at scale. Kalpana is now bringing their technology to market, and we look forward to supporting them on this exciting journey.”
“Their success can contribute to significant advancements in the production of next-generation technology, such as batteries, solar cells and packaging worldwide.”
Mathijs van Rijk, Senior Investment Manager at the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam, adds, “Kalpana is a crucial player in the region with the potential to make a substantial impact across various industries.”
What is Kalpana Systems trying to solve?
According to a statement by Kalpana Systems, thin films and specialised coatings enable innovations like OLED screens, solar cells, and battery technology. Ensuring these films are of consistent and high quality is crucial for efficiency, longevity, and miniaturisation.
Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a recognised method for atom-by-atom thin film deposition, enhancing functionality and protection, such as improved electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and moisture protection.
It also optimises the use of costly materials like lithium, iridium, and copper, resulting in cost savings and material efficiency. However, the ALD process is slow and costly, necessitating rapid and economical deposition for large-scale adoption.
Overcoming this challenge can unlock transformative applications in energy storage, solar cells, flexible electronics, and sustainable packaging, crucial for the energy transition. Kalpana Systems offers a solution to this challenge.
The solution!
Kalpana Systems claims to have transformed thin film production with a machine that uses Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (sALD) for high-volume, continuous output. Its flexible substrate transport system allows for rapid layer deposition, reducing costs significantly.
The 3D helical design ensures consistent, high-quality sALD application at an industrial scale, increasing process speed by a factor of 1000. The machine integrates into existing production lines, making it versatile for various applications.
Kalpana Systems helps companies scale sALD applications profitably, enabling cost-effective, efficient flexible solar cells and longer-lasting, high-performance batteries.
CEO of Kalpana Systems, Diederick Spee, says, “With our machine producing thin layers quickly, efficiently, and affordably, we enable promising technologies to become viable. The boost to the energy transition that Kalpana Systems can provide is now within reach with this capital injection from Fairtree, SIG, and the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam.”
Frederic Petit, Partner at Emerald Technology Ventures and SIG’s investment advisor, adds, “The uniqueness of Kalpana’s roll-to-roll technology lies in its high volume, throughput, and rapid production time. This sets them apart from other providers in the market and allows for wide market adoption including packaging applications.”
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