SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sakuu Corporation (“Sakuu”), a transformative additive manufacturing and solid-state battery technology company, and inventor of the disruptive Kavian™ platform for the commercial-scale production of next-generation SwiftPrint™ batteries and other complex active devices, announces promising results from its ongoing testing of a novel printable lithium formulation from Livent for use in Sakuu’s 3D printed batteries. Sakuu is collaborating with Livent Corporation (“Livent”; NYSE: LTHM) under an existing joint development agreement (“JDA”) for the use of Livent’s proprietary LIOVIX® printable lithium formulation in Sakuu’s battery 3D printing process. The LIOVIX® platform includes applications for pre-lithiation and lithium metal anode manufacturing.
In February, Sakuu announced consistent and successful 3D printing of fully functional high-performance patterned batteries. These printed cells used Livent’s LIOVIX® printable lithium formulation in the anode, which enhanced the unique patterning capabilities of Sakuu’s proprietary 3D printing process. Sakuu achieved several notable accomplishments in this period, including the first fully functional 3D printed lithium-metal battery, the first 3D printed patterned lithium-metal anode, and the first 3D printed lithium-metal battery in a custom form factor shape.
Sakuu’s disruptive Kavian™ platform is engineered for companies to manufacture next-generation batteries, including solid-state chemistries, for commercial-scale production. Additionally, Sakuu's battery technology can be licensed for use in today’s manufacturing equipment, or with the Kavian™ manufacturing platform.
“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Livent and explore how the LIOVIX® formulation can integrate into our novel method of manufacturing next-generation SwiftPrint™ batteries at commercial scale,” said Robert Bagheri, CEO and Founder of Sakuu. “Having access to innovative ingredients from a US-based, globally established lithium supplier enhances our next-gen battery development via 3D printing to deliver ultimate performance, safety, and sustainability. Our Kavian platform is designed to help industries reimagine what a battery can become—starting with how it is made—to unlock commercial-scale manufacturability of solid-state and other performance batteries. Kavian manufacturing is poised to introduce transformative product innovation across industries going electric.”
"The successful application of the LIOVIX® formulation in Sakuu’s next generation batteries and leading-edge manufacturing process shows what is possible through strong collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing innovation in battery development," said Paul Graves, Livent’s President and CEO. "We are excited to build on our partnership with Sakuu to deliver on the promise of pioneering technologies which can improve battery safety, performance, manufacturing efficiency and sustainability.”
About Sakuu
Sakuu is a pioneering additive manufacturing and solid-state battery technology company introducing a disruptive platform approach for the commercial-scale production of next-generation SwiftPrint™ batteries and other complex active devices. Sakuu also intends to license its novel battery technologies to industries. Initial efforts will focus on energy storage, to enable customers using the Kavian™ platform to manufacture an entirely new class of high-performance and safe batteries that can help reduce society’s reliance on fossil fuels. Founded in 2016, Sakuu operates two facilities in Silicon Valley, California, where it is headquartered: a next-generation battery pilot line facility, and an additive manufacturing engineering facility. For more information, visit Sakuu.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
About Livent
For nearly eight decades, Livent has partnered with its customers to safely and sustainably use lithium to power the world. Livent is one of only a small number of companies with the capability, reputation, and know-how to produce high-quality finished lithium compounds that are helping meet the growing demand for lithium. The company has one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry, powering demand for green energy, modern mobility, the mobile economy, and specialized innovations, including light alloys and lubricants. Livent has a combined workforce of approximately 1,350 full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract employees and operates manufacturing sites in the United States, England, China and Argentina. For more information, visit Livent.com.
For more information about LIOVIX®, please visit: https://livent.com/liovix
Forward-Looking Statements (Sakuu)
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the ongoing collaboration between Sakuu and Livent. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Sakuu’s product offerings and technology, including its Kavian platform and 3D printing technology, the benefits of incorporating Livent’s printable lithium formulation into Sakuu’s 3D printing process and the benefits to battery manufacturers of Sakuu’s battery technology and Kavian manufacturing platform. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Sakuu’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied upon by any investors as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Sakuu’s activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to, risks related to delays in the development of Sakuu’s products and technology and expected business milestones; the effects of competition on Sakuu’s business; supply shortages in the materials necessary for the production of Sakuu’s products; and delays in construction and operation of production facilities. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication. There may be additional risks that Sakuu presently does not know or that Sakuu currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Sakuu assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Sakuu does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Forward-Looking Statements (Livent)
Statement under the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for the company based on currently available information. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "will continue to," "will likely result," "is on track," "should," "expect," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believe," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "could," "forecast," "future," "is confident that," "plans," or "projects," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. These factors include, among other things, the risk factors and other cautionary statements included within Livent's 2022 Form 10-K filed with the SEC as well as other SEC filings and public communications. Livent cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the above cautionary statement. Livent undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any duty, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they were made, except as otherwise required by law. The Company's investor relations website, located at https://ir.livent.com, should be considered as a recognized channel of distribution, and the Company may periodically post important information to the website for investors, including information that the Company may wish to disclose publicly for purposes of complying with federal securities laws.
