KB-Element announces completion of Series B investment round

KB-ELEMENT, a company specializing in non-oxidized graphene, has secured 14 billion won in Series B funding, bringing its total investment to 30.7 billion won. This funding round saw participation from nine organizations, highlighting the industry's confidence in KB-ELEMENT's mass production technology for non-oxidized graphene, its established commercialization references, and the potential for expanding its graphene dispersion and composite business.

Founded in 2016, KB-ELEMENT utilizes an atmospheric pressure plasma process to produce non-oxidized graphene. This method reduces the traditional manufacturing process from multiple stages to just five, enhancing price competitiveness and ensuring an eco-friendly production system that eliminates wastewater. The company boasts a production capacity of up to 21 tons of graphene powder and 2,100 tons of dispersion annually, positioning it to expand into high-value materials such as graphene dispersions and composites.

The recent investment will support core growth initiatives, including expanding research and development (R&D) and sales teams. KB-ELEMENT aims to enhance its R&D capabilities for graphene materials and applications, accelerating the discovery and commercialization of graphene uses both domestically and internationally.

In the latter half of this year, the company plans to advance the domestic graphene composite market by launching a graphene masterbatch project that improves dispersibility and usability. This initiative aims to reduce the barriers to graphene adoption and broaden supplier networks across various sectors, including electric vehicles, outdoor, and marine industries, by integrating into existing polymer processing without additional facilities.

CEO Baek Ji-jung stated that the investment will bolster R&D and sales capabilities, focusing on the practical industrial application and commercialization of graphene. The company aims to lead material localization through stable domestic supply chains and secure a competitive edge in the global market.