CIE Components in Electronics
ACAL Energy, a leading developer of platinum free cathode fuel cell technology, has secured another successful round of investment finance, which will enable it to strengthen the research and development of its affordable fuel cell systems. The latest funding round of £3.25 million has been raised from existing investors including clean technology asset management group I2BF, the North West Fund for Energy and Environmental (NWF4E&E) and the PFCC2 – both managed by CT Investment Partners (CTIP) – and SC Green Tech Ventures LLC (the investment arm of Sumitomo Corporation).
The company’s FlowCath technology uses a proprietary liquid catalyst to eliminate most of the platinum used in conventional fuel cells, and the company has been able to demonstrate a radical improvement in the reliability and cost effectiveness of its fuel cells. Last year, ACAL Energy won The Carbon Trust ‘Polymer Fuel Cell Challenge’, an initiative aimed at accelerating access to new markets for fuel cell products.
As part of the funding announced, ACAL Energy has been successful in receiving follow-on funding under this programme (PFCC2). This funding will enable FlowCath technology to be delivered earlier than planned, and to feature more prominently in the company’s commercialisation plans.
“We are especially pleased to have the confidence of our current investors who have been most supportive of our operations to date”, said Mr Brendan Bilton, the recently-appointed UK Managing Director of ACAL Energy. “Our rapid rate of technical progress puts us in a good position as we proceed with our commercialisation plans.”
The company has previously announced that it is targeting FlowCath power modules for commercial scale stationary power and automotive applications.
