37-ecat E-Catalog
80-services Services
39-magazine Magazine
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.

XALT Energy - Freudenberg Secures Majority Interest

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.

“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

Cheryl Eberwein

Director, Corporate Communications

Telephone: 734-451-0020

cheryl.eberwein@fnst.com 32-caret

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! 32-caret

Login with your access data

Email address*

Password*

* mandatory field

Forgot your password? Click here to reset.

Or

Don’t have an account yet? Register now!

You've logged in successfully.

Register and get access to exclusive content

Your benefits

  • Download exclusive documents such as Solution Sheets
  • Live Webinare/On-Demand Recordings on the beverage and food industry
  • Virtual tours of production facilities
  • Resistance tools for selecting the right material

First Name*

Last Name*

Company / Organization*

Email address*

Password*

Security Level

* mandatory field

Or

Do you already have an account? Continue to Login.

Thank you. Your subscription was successful.

We have sent you an e-mail. Please click on the included activation link to complete the registration.

We have sent you an email. Please click on the included link to assign a new password.

Have you forgotten your password?

Please enter your email address to reset it.

Email address*

* mandatory field

The form has been successfully sent.

We have sent you an email. Please click on the included link to assign a new password.

Further Articles With These Taggings

Up-and-Coming Tiger Cubs

30.10.2023

The world’s workshop may migrate from China to Southeast Asia. Still, the region has been on the brink of an economic breakthrough before. Why didn’t it take hold? And what is its situation today?

Read more 32-caret

E-Mobility

What’s in The Box

24.10.2023

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies installs advanced battery test lab at its North American headquarters.

Read more 32-caret

Automotive E-Mobility

Two-Wheel Transportation

17.10.2023

Can we learn something from cities whose transportation is mainly the two-wheel, motorized variety? Yes, if you think ahead into the future – and rethink the way things are done now.

Read more 32-caret

E-Mobility

Innovation for Electric Vehicles: The Tightest of Seals

12.09.2023

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies presents an impermeable rectangular busbar overmold.

Read more 32-caret

Automotive E-Mobility

Thermal Barriers: More Safety for Electric Cars – Now Also in 3D

22.08.2023

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is launching customized three-dimensional safety components for batteries.

Read more 32-caret

Automotive E-Mobility

Rubber Sealing Ma­terial in Electric Substation

04.07.2023

Over Long distances electric current reaches consumers with the help of substations. Protective gases are vital in high-voltage switchgears. Seals make sure that the gases stay put. But how?

Read more 32-caret

E-Mobility

A Union of Opposites: Heat-Conductive and Electrically Insulating

27.06.2023

New material with extensive applications for the automotive industry.

Read more 32-caret

Automotive E-Mobility

Have Fun while Economizing

30.05.2023

A playful approach can be an effective and entertaining way to save energy – taking on the challenge of reducing fuel consumption as you drive, for example. It can work in companies, too.

Read more 32-caret

E-Mobility

Electric Cars Keep Pressing Ahead

09.05.2023

Electric cars are part of the energy transition in many countries. More and more are coming onto the market. Is the trend continuing?

Read more 32-caret

E-Mobility
Newsletter

First Hand News

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

Subscribe now!