37-ecat Product Catalog
80-services Services
36-downloads Downloads
35-contact Contact
47-chevron-right
20-close First-Hand News?

Obtain news and background information about sealing technology, get in touch with innovative products – subscribe to the free e-mail newsletter.

04.02.2019 | Press release

XALT Energy - Freudenberg Secures Majority Interest

Technology & Innovation E-Mobility Alternative Drives

Plymouth, Mich. (USA), Feb. 4, 2019 – Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has become majority stakeholder of XALT Energy, a Midland, Mich.-based global developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion technology solutions targeted for heavy-duty mobility applications. In March 2018, Freudenberg announced it had acquired a 31 percent ownership stake in XALT Energy through a multi-million dollar investment in its operations. Now, increasing demands for lithium-ion battery technology that specifically targets commercial vehicles as well as marine and rail applications has prompted Freudenberg to acquire a more than 50 percent share of the battery manufacturer. With this additional multi-million dollar investment, XALT Energy is able to revitalize production capabilities at the company’s Midland production plant and to intensify its research and development efforts into new mobility technologies. Additionally, Freudenberg has a standing agreement to acquire all remaining shares of XALT Energy over the next few years.

Share it on

“We are pleased that this investment provides a much needed capital boost to XALT Energy and also puts Freudenberg in the driver’s seat. This acquisition is a crucial part of our future business strategy to transform as a supplier into a market leader of new mobility technologies and services,” said Claus Moehlenkamp, CEO of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. “As our customers transition to lithium-ion battery and fuel cell powertrain options, our investment in XALT Energy will enhance our ability to supply them with materials, products and systems solutions that meet new, complex technical challenges. We are delighted with this strategic venture.”

A 460,000-square-foot automated assembly facility including advanced clean rooms and a research and development laboratory

XALT Energy specializes in applying lithium-ion technology to large-scale, high-energy, high-power storage solutions for industries including commercial transportation, rail, marine, industrial operations and automotive. The company’s 460,000-square-foot automated assembly facility in Midland includes advanced clean rooms and produces cells, packs, modules and management controls and software for lithium-ion power systems. The company also operates a research and development laboratory in Pontiac, Mich.

FST XALT Energy Building

Under Freudenberg’s oversight, the XALT Energy name will remain and become an affiliated brand of the global group headquartered in Germany. Freudenberg has also appointed Jeff Michalski to take over leadership of XALT Energy from retiring CEO Richard Cundiff III. Michalski, a long-standing Freudenberg executive, has extensive experience handling global acquisitions and market expansion for the company.

Freudenberg and XALT Energy have already entered into strategic partnership agreements to provide advanced lithium-ion battery systems to heavy-duty segment leaders such as New Flyer of America for transit buses. In 2018, Freudenberg agreed to work with a leading provider of electrical power distribution and automation for the marine industry to explore battery solutions for its applications.

Existing cooperations with many automotive manufacturers

XALT Energy is also working with automotive OEMs, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. (GM), through the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium LLC. In September 2018, the Consortium announced it would partner with XALT to develop a 12-volt, Lithium Manganese Oxide-Lithium Titanate Start-Stop battery system. Recently, GM also announced it was using XALT battery systems in an experimental electric drag racer, the eCOPO Chevrolet Camaro concept vehicle.

Moehlenkamp outlined Freudenberg Sealing Technologies plans to pursue parallel business strategies during the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars (CAR MBS) conference in 2018. The company will continue to invest in technologies and materials that help industries achieve lower friction, lighter weight, fewer emissions, longer service life and safer operating conditions for internal combustion powertrain systems. At the same time, it has launched a Battery and Fuel Cell Division tasked with developing advanced technology solutions for new mobility scenarios. The investment in XALT Energy will help anchor these new activities, he said.

“We continue to see evidence that the entire global mobility landscape – from passenger vehicles, heavy-duty trucks and buses to railroad transportation and marine shipping operations – is shifting to incorporate new powertrain technologies including lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells,” Moehlenkamp said. “We are committed to supporting this transition through investments like the one we made in XALT Energy, as well as through research and development, technology transfer between our divisions and rigorous application of quality, testing and service protocols that provide value to our customers.”

For more on Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ E-Mobility solutions go here

Press Release Downloads

Freudenberg Secures Majority Interest in XALT Energy

Last update: 04.02.2019

English | DOCX | 86 KB

Download

Download Images

FST Claus Moehlenkamp 2019

JPG | 234 KB

Download

FST XALT Energy BDU

PNG | 588 KB

Download

FST XALT Energy Rack

JPG | 275 KB

Download

FST XALT Energy Building

JPG | 1008 KB

Download

News Service

You can subscribe to the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies news alert service, bringing you the news as soon as they are published. You can always unsubscribe from this service.

Subscribe now! chevron_right

More news on the subject Technology & Innovation

Technology & Innovation

High-Performance Radar Sensors Thanks to Precisely Manufactured Waveguide Antennas

28.03.2025 | Story

Waveguide antennas with their delicate channel structure are fundamental to the performance of radar sensors. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is now developing these antennas for its first customer projects.

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

A High-Pressure Gasket With an Innovative Design for PEM Electrolyzers

04.02.2025 | Story

High-pressure gaskets keep liquid and gaseous media from escaping electrolyzers. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed a gasket design that is already used in series production.

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

Electrolysis: Global Market Leader Uses Freudenberg Seals

17.12.2024 | Story

AEM electrolyzers offer customers the opportunity to produce green hydrogen on their own. The global leader in AEM technology relies on seals from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. 

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

Simulation on Test Stands

01.10.2024 | Story

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies not only offers materials expertise. The company also simulates how effective and efficient its products are with the help of its own high-quality test stands. 

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

High Technology in Agriculture

20.08.2024 | Story

Artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things are turning agriculture into a high-tech industry. And they are bringing food security to future generations.

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

Perfect Tire Pressure For Every Terrain

15.08.2024 | Press release

Sealing solutions from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies for central tire inflation systems offer major advantages

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

Revolutionizing Heavy Duty On Road Mobility

05.08.2024 | News

Freudenberg Sealing Technology's Innovative Solution

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

High Flexibility: “Artificial Intelligence as a Service”

09.07.2024 | Story

Scalability: With Artificial Intelligence as a Service, AI is always available at the level needed for the current data needs or for the number of inquiries to be processed.

Read more chevron_right

Technology & Innovation

Greater Efficiency Thanks to AI

25.06.2024 | Story

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has been gradually turning to AI in manufacturing. This has led to less pseudo-scrap, lower costs, increased sustainability, and reduced machine downtime.

Read more chevron_right

Newsletter

First Hand News

Best of all, keep up with the latest developments
with the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies newsletter.

Subscribe now!
Technology & Innovation E-Mobility Alternative Drives
Share it on