Immaterial Company Profile
Background
Immaterial Ltd., established in 2015 and headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, specializes in advanced materials and system solutions aimed at facilitating the global energy transition. The company's mission is to contribute to a cleaner and healthier world by developing innovative technologies for carbon capture, hydrogen storage, and air purification.
Key Strategic Focus
Immaterial focuses on the development and commercialization of monolithic metal-organic frameworks (m-MOFs) with superior volumetric capacity. These materials are integral to the company's solutions for point-source carbon capture and efficient hydrogen storage. By integrating advanced materials with system design expertise, Immaterial aims to deliver cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions for decarbonization and the hydrogen economy.
Financials and Funding
As of April 30, 2023, Immaterial reported cash reserves of £311,480 and current assets totaling £1.06 million. The company successfully closed a Series A funding round in September 2023, led by SLB, with participation from AP Ventures, Cepsa, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Energy Revolution Ventures. The funds are intended to accelerate the commercialization of Immaterial's technologies and expand its market presence.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Immaterial's core technology revolves around the design and production of monolithic metal-organic frameworks (m-MOFs). These materials offer exceptional surface area and tunable pore sizes, making them highly effective for gas adsorption and separation processes. The company's proprietary m-MOFs are engineered to provide superior volumetric capacity, enhancing the efficiency of carbon capture and hydrogen storage systems. Immaterial employs state-of-the-art molecular simulations and machine learning algorithms to identify optimal MOF structures tailored to specific industrial applications.
Leadership Team
- Mohammed Khan, Chief Executive Officer
- Over 27 years of experience in energy, chemicals, and industrial markets, with a focus on technology commercialization and business transformation.
- Prof. David Fairen-Jimenez, Founder, President, and Chief Scientific Officer
- Royal Society University Research Fellow and Reader in Molecular Engineering at the University of Cambridge, specializing in nanoporous materials.
- Owen Garrigan, Chief Technology Officer
- Over 25 years of experience in technical and innovation roles within global industrial and specialty chemical companies.
- Jogchum Brinksma, Chairman
- Entrepreneurial senior executive with extensive experience in various industries, focusing on innovative breakthrough technologies.
- Ate Visser, Director
- Nearly 40 years of international senior executive experience in the energy and chemicals industries, with a focus on innovation and technology challenges.
- Alan E. Nelson, Director
- Vice President of Technology at SLB, with extensive experience in developing and commercializing environmentally sustainable technologies.
- Kevin Eggers, Director
- Founding Partner of AP Ventures, with over 20 years of international experience in commercial and corporate finance positions.
- Belén Linares, Director
- Over 24 years of experience in Aerospace & Energy, specializing in research, technology, and product development for energy and powerplant systems.
Leadership Changes
In September 2024, Kevin Eggers was appointed as a director, succeeding Michelle Robson, who resigned from her position. Additionally, in April 2024, Belén Linares Corell joined the board, replacing Rafael Larraz.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The advanced materials sector, particularly in carbon capture and hydrogen storage, is experiencing significant growth driven by global decarbonization efforts and the transition to sustainable energy sources. The demand for efficient and cost-effective solutions in these areas presents substantial market opportunities.
Competitor Analysis
Immaterial operates in a competitive landscape alongside established companies such as Johnson Matthey, LG Chem, Wacker Chemie, and Cabot.
- Johnson Matthey: A specialty chemicals company manufacturing catalysts and advanced materials.
- LG Chem: A manufacturer of petrochemicals and advanced materials.
- Wacker Chemie: A provider of specialty chemical products.
- Cabot: A manufacturer of specialty chemicals and performance materials.
These competitors have established market positions and extensive resources, posing challenges to emerging companies like Immaterial.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Immaterial has formed strategic partnerships with industry leaders to enhance its market position and innovation capacity. Notably, the company secured investments from SLB, AP Ventures, Cepsa, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Energy Revolution Ventures during its Series A funding round in 2023. These collaborations provide financial support and access to extensive industry networks, facilitating the commercialization of Immaterial's technologies.
Operational Insights
Immaterial's competitive advantage lies in its proprietary m-MOF technology, which offers superior performance in carbon capture and hydrogen storage applications. The company's integrated approach, combining advanced materials with system design expertise, enables the delivery of cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions. This positions Immaterial favorably against competitors by addressing critical challenges in the energy transition sector.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
Immaterial is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, leveraging its innovative technologies and strategic partnerships to strengthen its market position and drive expansion in the advanced materials sector.