Oakland, Calif.-based Aepnus Technology uses electrolysis to turn sodium sulfate waste from lithium ion batteries back into sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, essential chemicals for battery production.
Aepnus’ Lukas Hackl said the process is applicable to waste from other industries, including pigments, textiles and lead-acid batteries.
“There’s a whole host of chemicals that could be made using electricity rather than fossil fuel derived feedstocks as a driving force,” Hackl told ImpactAlpha. “Once we’ve gotten to scale, the vision is to apply the same manufacturing methodology to make a whole range of other molecules.”
Adds cofounder Bilen Akuzum, “This is the missing piece of the puzzle for the energy transition.”
Tech transfer
The electrochemical process was inspired by Aepnus’ founders research on water desalination at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
The $8 million seed financing was led by Clean Energy Ventures and included Voyager Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, Impact Science Ventures, Muus Climate Partners and Gravity Climate Fund.
“Aepnus brings a sustainable alternative to today’s high-cost and energy intensive solutions,” said Clean Energy Ventures’ Daniel Goldman.
