Gwangmu is making a strategic investment in Epicamtec, a producer of additives for secondary batteries. The strategy is to expand its business scope from material distribution to direct production and sales.
On the 16th, Gwangmu announced that it had signed a contract to acquire new shares worth 19.4 billion KRW issued by Epicamtec through a paid-in capital increase. On the same day, the payment was completed, securing a 10% stake in Epicamtec and becoming the second-largest shareholder.
Starting with this investment, the two companies will establish a broad cooperative relationship, ranging from joint technology development to production and domestic and international business expansion.
Furthermore, Gwangmu plans to officially enter the additive manufacturing and sales market. The company aims to build vertical integration connecting research and development (R&D), production, and sales of secondary battery materials.
Epicamtec, established on October 24, 2007, is a precision chemical materials company. It possesses outstanding technology and personnel in the synthesis of high-purity materials such as secondary battery electrolytes and additives. It has been recognized with the IR52 Jang Young-shil Award, the highest industrial technology award in Korea, and has been selected as one of the Small and Medium Business Materials, Parts, and Equipment Strong Companies 100+ and a preliminary unicorn company.
Last year, its sales amounted to 21.6 billion KRW, with about 50% generated from the secondary battery materials sector. Major customers include Samsung SDI, Enchem, Dongwha Electrolite, and WCP. Recently, by successfully establishing cooperative relationships with numerous global clients, expectations for sales expansion are increasing.
Epicamtec’s plan to go public within this year also enhances Gwangmu’s investment appeal. Epicamtec’s next-generation electrolyte (LiFSI) technology received an A grade from the Korea Exchange’s designated technology evaluation agency in December last year, passing the first hurdle for listing. The company plans to submit a preliminary review application for KOSDAQ listing within the first half of this year.
A Gwangmu official stated, “This will be a turning point for us to leap from an existing secondary battery material distribution company to a comprehensive materials company covering the entire process of production, sales, and distribution. We expect significant synergy with Epicamtec’s mass production technology for additives and plan to systematically target the overseas additive market based on this.”
The official added, “Epicamtec is showing steady performance growth centered on secondary battery material sales, and as its technology is recognized, it is expected to pursue listing this year, which has attracted high interest from the industry.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
