News & Media

Greeneye & Croplands Trial Precision Spraying Technology in Australia

Greeneye Technology is partnering with Croplands to launch field trials of its AI-enabled precision spraying technology in Australia in 2025. This system, which cuts herbicide use by 87%, will be tested across diverse crops and soils, including canola. Croplands, a leader in spray solutions, chose Greeneye for its machine-agnostic design and dual-tank setup to boost efficiency.

Hydrogen Startup Verdagy Opens New California Electrolyzer Plant Amid Risks

Verdagy launched a California plant for its advanced electrolyzers, backed by a $40M U.S. Department of Energy grant. Despite slow hydrogen adoption, Verdagy’s durable, industrial-scale electrolyzers aim to outcompete global models. The plant will supply a Texas hydrogen facility, expected in 2026, showcasing Verdagy’s high-volume tech to potential clients.

Ascend Elements Wins 2024 D.R.I.V.E. Award for Reducing EV Carbon Emissions

Ascend Elements received the 2024 Automotive D.R.I.V.E. Honours in the Reducing Emissions category, awarded by Reuters Events for promoting sustainability and net-zero goals. The company’s Hydro-to-Cathode® process reduces EV battery cathode production emissions by 49% using recycled materials. Ascend aims for a 90% carbon reduction by 2030, with judges praising its impact on sustainable EV transition.

AI-Powered Weed Robots Challenge $37 Billion Herbicide Market

Farmers are increasingly adopting AI-powered weed-killing robots that reduce herbicide use by up to 90%. Companies like Bayer and BASF are shifting focus to precision applications, facing industry disruption. Machinery makers like Deere & Co. and Greeneye Technology are leading the charge, signaling a potential major shift in crop protection strategies.

Inside Verdagy’s Pilot Plant for Scalable Green Hydrogen Production

Verdagy's Moss Landing pilot plant tests scalable electrolysis technology to produce green hydrogen using renewable energy. The process, involving alkaline water electrolysis, aims to make hydrogen production more energy-efficient and cost-effective. Verdagy’s "smart cells" optimize output and maintenance, with the goal of making green hydrogen competitive with fossil fuels by 2030.

Australian VCs Bet on Type One Fusion Energy, Eyeing Trillion-Dollar Market

Australian VC firm Foxglove Capital has invested in US-based Type One Energy, betting on nuclear fusion as the "ultimate energy source." Type One, utilizing stellarator technology, secured $82.5 million in funding to advance its FusionDirect program, aiming to commercialize fusion energy by 2029. The global fusion energy market could reach $1.28 trillion by 2040, with Australia positioned as a key player due to its expertise and proximity to Asia.

Type One Energy Group Closes $82.4M Seed Round Successfully

Type One Energy Group has completed its $82.4M seed financing round, attracting a diverse group of global investors. This funding supports the company's FusionDirect program, which aims to commercialize fusion energy. FusionDirect's goal is to launch a fusion pilot power-plant project with an owner/operating partner by 2030, marking a significant step towards global fusion energy commercialization.

California's Billion-Dollar Hydrogen Hub: Verdagy Leads Green Efforts

California will host a billion-dollar hydrogen hub funded by $1.2B from the federal government and an additional $11B from private investments. ARCHES, a public-private partnership, will manage the hub, focusing on green hydrogen production. Verdagy, a startup in Moss Landing led by CEO Marty Neese, is pioneering electrolysis technology for green hydrogen, which is essential for decarbonizing sectors like trucking and heavy industry.

Ascend Elements Sets Net-Zero Targets, Joins UN Race to Zero

Ascend Elements, a Massachusetts-based battery materials company, commits to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to set near-term and net-zero emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science and the Paris Agreement. CEO Mike O’Kronley emphasizes the need for aggressive action to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. The company aims to support sustainable EV battery production and participate in the UN's Race to Zero campaign.

Chloris Geospatial Welcomes Cisco Foundation & NextSTEP as Investors

Chloris Geospatial, the leading forest carbon measurement company, welcomes Cisco Foundation and NextSTEP as investors. They join AXA IM Alts, Orbia Ventures, At One Ventures, and Counteract in a new funding round supporting Chloris' mission. Their technologies enable forest conservation, vital for combating climate change and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Osmoses wins NGIF Accelerator’s Global Cleantech Challenge Award

NGIF Accelerator announced the finalists of its Global Cleantech Challenge at IGRC 2024 in Banff. This Challenge, supported by Industry Grants member companies, aimed to fund SMEs and startups with clean tech solutions to reduce natural gas emissions. Finalists received ~$6.3MM (CAD) in funding for developing and demonstrating their pre-commercial clean technologies.

Ascend Elements EV and Battery Featured in NBC News Article

The EV and EV battery industries are adding thousands of jobs in America, including 27,000 in Georgia since 2020. Garrett Haake of NBC News reported on the economic impact of the EV supply chain after visiting Ascend Elements' battery recycling facility in Covington, Georgia. The segment featured co-founder Eric Gratz, team member Christopher James Bryant, and Senator Buddy Carter on NBC Nightly News.

Greeneye Tech Completes $20M Round, Unveils AI Spray Solutions

Greeneye Tech closes a $20M funding round, expanding AI spraying operations in the United States. Among new developments are Greeneye-designed booms and the expansion into the cotton crop segment. Additionally, the company ventures into the smart applications of micronutrients and fungicides.

Doral, Global Renewables Developer, Strikes Green Hydrogen Deal with Verdagy

Verdagy announces strategic agreement with Doral, wherein it will supply green hydrogen electrolysis systems through 2030. The agreement has a global focus, particularly on Doral's green hydrogen projects across Europe, the United States, Australia and the Middle East.

Ascend Elements Joins Fast Company’s Top Innovators of 2024 List

Ascend Elements secures Fast Company's Automotive #1 for the second year in a row. Named to the list of World’s Most Innovative Companies, the growth trajectory continues for the EV battery materials firm as it maintains its spot on the 2024 list.

Marco Albani, CEO of Chloris Geospatial, Explores Innovation in WE Forum

Direct biomass estimation enhances forest carbon accounting by introducing technological innovations to increase transparency and efficacy in carbon markets. Chloris focuses on providing science-based, direct biomass stock and change estimations globally, contributing to improved environmental monitoring and management.

Osmoses Joins CERAWeek, Spotlights "Precise Industrial Gas Filtration"

At CERAWeek, Osmoses illustrates its commitment to industrial gas separation, revolutionizing hydrogen and renewable Natural Gas production through precise membrane technology. This approach, devoid of heat or fossil fuels, signifies a pivotal shift, reducing energy consumption and promoting alternative energy sources globally.

Ascend Elements Gets $162M for US Battery Material Production, EV Tech

Ascend Elements, specializing in sustainable battery materials solutions, secures $162 million in new equity investments, following a previous round of $542 million. This brings the company's total funding in the past year to $704 million, with notable backers including Just Climate, Clearvision Ventures, and IRONGREY.

U.S. DOE Allocates $750M to 52 Clean Hydrogen Projects; Verdagy Funded

The U.S. DOE allocates $750m to 52 clean hydrogen projects across 24 states, aiming to propel electrolysis and fuel cell technologies while advancing manufacturing processes. Verdagy secures $39.6m funding to fuel forthcoming projects, contributing to the nation's green energy initiatives.

Verdagy Recognized by North American Clean Energy

2024 BNEF Pioneers Finalists tackle clean power bottlenecks, building decarbonization, and next-gen net-zero fuels. Verdagy was recognized as a finalist for pioneering in cover crops, hydrogen electrolyzers, e-fuels, and biofuels.

Ascend Elements Raises $162M for Sustainable Battery Materials

Following last year’s large cleantech private equity placement, Ascend Elements raised $162 million in new equity investments. Major investors include Just Climate, Clearvision Ventures, and IRONGREY. This brings the company’s 12-month funding total to $704 million, including the $542 million round led by Decarbonization Partners, Temasek, and Qatar Investment Authority in September 2023.

Ascend Elements “Decarbonization Path” Targets 90% Reduction in EV Battery Material Carbon Footprint By 2030

Ascend Elements can today manufacture new EV battery material at a 49% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional cathode manufacturing processes that rely on primary materials from mining. By 2030, the company aims to achieve a 90% reduction in carbon footprint.

Using AI in Construction Sites, Deepomatic and Unifiber Collaboration

New collaboration between Deepomatic and Unifiber showcases how AI can be used in construction sites. This new collaboration is taking shape on the field. Watch the video on LinkedIn to see how it is done.

SeeTree secures $17.5 million Series C for its Tree Intelligence Platform

SeeTree has announced that it raised $17.5 million in Series C funding, co-led by HSBC Asset Management and EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development). The round also included new investors OurCrowd, and SmartAgro, and continued support from Hanaco Ventures (after leading the A round of the company), Mindest Ventures, Uri Levine’s TFK, Orbia Ventures, and SeeTree customer Citrosuco.

Labor pains push robotic pickers

Tortuga was featured in the December issue of Direct Driller Magazine, a magazine focused on regenerative farming and soil health. Robots are not just labor replacements, they are a critical part of making farm operations more predictable and profitable.

Navigating Concerns and Progress in Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling

Despite growing worries, Ascend Elements highlights the misconceptions surrounding EV battery recyclability, emphasizing progress made since 2022 and the industry's strides in efficient lithium-ion battery recycling.

Advanced Graphite Recycling Technology Provides an Alternative to Virgin Graphite from China

A new graphite recycling technology, the Hydro-to-Anode® process developed by Ascend Elements and Koura, promises an alternative source of battery-grade anode material to counter China's dominance in graphite production. With China limiting graphite exports, this technology aims to provide the West, particularly the U.S. electric vehicle industry, with an alternative supply. Ascend Elements' recycled graphite, achieving 99.9% purity, matches the performance of virgin material in independent tests, potentially reducing the industry's reliance on mining and meeting the requirements for tax credits in electric vehicles. The technology's commercialization signifies a crucial step in improving the environmental impact of battery production while providing a sustainable supply chain for the U.S. graphite market.

Unifiber x Deepomatic: Artificial Intelligence empowering fiber deployment in Wallonia

Deepomatic and Unifiber have joined forces to utilize AI for real-time quality control of optical fiber installation in Wallonia, Belgium, streamlining the process and aiming to connect 600,000 households with high-speed internet by 2028, thus marking a pioneering achievement in the Belgian telecom sector.

Osmoses Secures $11M to Decarbonize Projected $35B Industrial Gas Separation Market with Novel Membrane Technology

Osmoses has secured an $11 million seed funding round led by Energy Capital Ventures, with participation from various investors. Osmoses specializes in a novel membrane technology that significantly reduces energy consumption and costs in gas separation processes, offering a potential solution to decarbonize gas production and distribution while positively impacting the environment and achieving net-zero goals.

Chloris Geospatial and Trove Research announce partnership to bring unprecedented transparency to forest carbon projects at a global scale

Will Reed awards Tortuga #22 spot on the Top 100 List of companies with human-first cultures of purpose!

Will Reed announced its Top 100 Class of 2023 highlighting the 100 companies who are championing human-first cultures of purpose, growth, and community in early-stage tech. Tortuga was thrilled to be awarded #22 as they make sure it is a company and employer that inspires culture of growth and collaboration.

Orbia Ventures team is attending the Climate Week Summit!

The annual Climate Week Summit will take place September 17-24, 2023 in New York City. Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind and will bring together the most senior international figures from business, government, civil society and the climate sector. To arrange a meeting with the Orbia Ventures team during the summit, please email innovation@orbia.com.

Orbia’s Koura and Ascend Elements to Explore Joint Commercialization of Advanced Graphite Recycling Technology in the United States

Ascend Elements and Orbia's Fluorinated Solutions business, Koura, are partnering to explore commercializing the Hydro-to-Anode® graphite recycling technology. This patented method can produce 99.9% pure graphite from used lithium-ion batteries, offering a valuable source of battery-grade anode materials for the electric vehicle industry and complying with tax credit requirements.

Ascend Elements Raises $542 Million to Accelerate Production of U.S.-engineered Lithium-Ion Battery Materials

Spray less, grow more: Precision spraying leads the fight against resistance.

As herbicide-resistant weeds continue to thrive, Greeneye Technology spotlights the farmers and retailers who are adopting new tech to fight back.

Call2Recycle and Ascend Elements Partner to Advance EV Battery Management

Verdagy secures Series B funding led by Temasek and Shell Ventures

Looking for the next California tech boom? You’ll find it in farmlands.

Technology advancements, among them robotic harvesters, reduce the number of people needed to produce food and improve yields.

Ascend Elements to Supply Sustainable Cathode Precursor (pCAM) Made from Recycled Battery Materials to Major U.S. Customer.

Osmoses receives a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED).

Ascend Elements opened its new electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling plant in Covington, Georgia. The plant is the largest EV  battery recycling facility in North America.

Orbia Ventures invested in Type One Energy, a world leader in stellarator R&D, with the mission to provide clean, affordable fusion power to every city across the globe.

Ascend Elements Named to Fast Company's Annual List of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2023.

Orbia Ventures’ Climatech Strategy Continues with Investment in Chloris Geospatial!

Greeneye is proud to feature in this excellent BBC News article showcasing the companies and technologies that are leading the charge to unlock the cost and efficacy benefits of precision spraying for farmers.

Hort Innovation has announced an $8.7M investment to trial tree immunizations that protect Australia’s horticulture industries against the deadly Xylella and Huanglongbing (HLB) diseases. The trial will employ a method developed by Silvec Biologics to immunize trees, vines, and bushes against diseases.

Osmoses was awarded a $74,000 grant through the Scale for Climatech Manufacturing & Expertise-in-Residence (MEIR) program. This program helps Climatech startups advance their technology from the prototype stage to manufacturing levels in volume.

Greeneye Technology Precision Spraying System and Farmers Business Network (FBN) Announce Strategic Collaboration: FBN to Invest in Greeneye and Partner as a Sales Channel to Fuel U.S. Growth.

President Joe Biden kicked off 2023 with a celebration of several Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded projects, including Ascend Elements’ one-of-a-kind Apex 1 facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

Shai Albaranes, Orbia's VP of innovation & ventures, participated in the development of AgThink's report: Tech in India- Investment Landscape 2022.

“India’s agricultural ecosystem (large by every metric) with its growing portfolio of Ag-Tech start-ups, presents an attractive proposition for us as a global venture capital investor”, says Shai.

Deepomatic wants to build an AI-based computer vision companion for field workers.

ARPA-E awards Osmoses with the $500,000 SEED program, aimed to support small businesses developing disruptive energy technologies.

The Transit Tech Lab, an initiative focused on transit and sustainability, has selected StormSensor among six technology companies to conduct yearlong pilots across New York City.

Battery-recycling startup Ascend Elements just pulled in $800 million in funding. Here’s why investors are betting on it.

Verdagy Gets Closer to Green Hydrogen Target

Osmoses is listed among the "50 Cleantech Startups to Watch in 2022 Globally"

Ascend Elements, Orbia Venture’s portfolio company has successfully completed the first closing for its C round of financing, including a $50 Million investment by SK ecoplant.

Osmoses has been selected to receive a grant by the 2022 seed program of the ARPA-E and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

This program aims to support emerging companies developing disruptive energy technologies and Osmoses will focus on helium recovery. While Helium is a critical asset for the economy and particularly the High Tech industry and chip manufacturing, supplies are gradually diminishing and global demand keeps rising.

This Technology Makes Any Sprayer Smarter

Greeneye's achievements receive great recognition from the AgWeb Farm Journal.

Verdagy and Ascend Elements recognized as "One of the most promising sustainability startups in transportation according to top VCs."

Business Insider asked top VCs and investors to pick the most promising startups racing to make transportation more sustainable. Both Verdagy and Ascend Elements were on the list!

Orbia Ventures team is attending the Energy Tech Summit!

The annual Energy Tech Summit will take place April 26-28, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland. The summit will host top global energy and mobility investors, entrepreneurs and government leaders discussing the latest developments in the field.

World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit

This month, Eitan Dekel, Managing Director of Orbia Ventures, will visit the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, an annual meeting for the global ag-tech ecosystem in San Francisco from March 22-23. Growers, agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and investors come together to exchange insights, be inspired and identify future partners. At Orbia Ventures, we are always on the lookout for new opportunities in this ever-evolving ecosystem. We look forward to seeing you there!

A study concludes recycled materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries outperform new material.

Recycled materials recovered from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries can outperform new commercial materials, according to recent research results. The research was led by Yan Wang, chief scientist and a co-founder of Battery Resourcers and published in energy research journal, Joule.

Ascend Elements and Koura Unveil Innovative Technology Yielding 99.9% Pure Graphite from Used Lithium-ion Batteries

Ascend Elements, a vertically integrated lithium-ion battery recycling and engineered materials company and Koura, an Orbia business and one of the world’s largest producers of fluoroproducts and technologies, today announced the launch of a proprietary process technology yielding battery-grade graphite material from spent lithium-ion batteries. Orbia is serving as a development partner to Ascend Elements to scale the company’s technology for commercial production. Orbia has also backed the company through several investment rounds.

BASF Venture Capital and Orbia Ventures Invest in Israeli Biotech Company FortePhest

FortePhest is leading in nature-inspired development of novel substances. New herbicides inhibit the growth of herbicide-resistant weeds and invasive plants.

Orbia Ventures joins $25M investment syndicate in funding Verdagy, a green hydrogen technology innovator

Orbia joins TDK Ventures, BHP Ventures, Doral Energy Tech Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Shell Ventures and Temasek in scaling electrolysis technology for sustainable industrial applications.

Ascend Elements, (formerly Battery Resourcers) is a key player in the emerging battery recycling market.

The battery industry for EV and battery storage is booming and the battery recycling market is expanding. Following the market demands, Battery Resourcers is building a new plant that will be capable of recycling 30,000 metric tons of lithium-ion batteries per year.

Wavin, Orbia’s Building & Infrastructure Business, Joins Forces with Vectus to Provide the Indian Market with Access to Water and Sanitation Solutions

Wavin B.V., a global solutions leader for the Building & Infrastructure industry and an Orbia business, announced today that it will acquire a majority stake in Vectus Industries Limited (“Vectus”), a privately-held manufacturer of plumbing and drainage pipes and the market leader in water storage tanks in India.

Orbia Ventures, Koura Lead $70M Mid-Round Funding Investment in Battery Resourcers and Engage in New Battery Circularity Initiatives

The Wall Street Journal reports that Orbia leads again with an additional $70 million in funding to support Battery Resourcers in expanding its global operations in commercial lithium-ion battery recycling.

“Innovation in a startup is completely different than innovation in a large multinational."

Shai Albaranes talks to Michael Matias, 20 Minute Leaders, about Orbia and how he oversees a variety of programs that inspire new ideas.

Orbia Invests In Battery-Recycling Startup

Orbia announced its fourth venture capital investment through Orbia Ventures. Orbia led a $20 million investor syndicate in backing Battery Resourcers (BR), a vertically integrated lithium-ion battery recycling and manufacturing company. 

Battery Resourcers raises $20M to commercialize its recycling-plus-manufacturing operations

As a greater share of the transportation market becomes electrified, companies have started to grapple with how to dispose of the thousands of tons of used electric vehicle batteries that are expected to come off the roads by the end of the decade. Written by Aria Alamalhodaei from TechCrunch.

Orbia Ventures Invests In Battery Resourcers to Advance Battery Circularity

Investment is uniquely designed to accelerate the shift to a circular, clean energy-driven future.