USA / Germany - Freudenberg Sealing Technologies of Plymouth, Michigan, USA (a subsidiary of technology group, Freudenberg SE of Weinheim, Germany) has acquired a majority stake in XALT Energy, a Midland, Michigan-based global developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion technology targeted at heavy-duty mobility applications. In March 2018, Freudenberg announced it had acquired a 31% ownership stake in XALT Energy through a multi-million dollar investment in its operations. Increasing demands for lithium-ion battery technology specifically targeting commercial vehicles, as well as marine and rail applications, prompted Freudenberg to acquire a share holding of more than 50% of the battery manufacturer. Additionally, Freudenberg has a standing agreement to acquire all remaining shares of XALT Energy over the next few years.

XALT Energy specialises 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, Michigan. XALT Energy says it plans to employ the acquisition funding to re-vitalise its production capabilities at the Midland production plant and intensify its research and development efforts into new mobility technologies.