FluoRok raises $30 million to scale hydrogen fluoride-free manufacturing

FluoRok, a University of Oxford spinout, has secured $30 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round to expand its chemical manufacturing capabilities. The funding round was led by Orano Venture Fund and Supernova Invest, with participation from Bidra Innovation Ventures and several existing investors, including Oxford Science Enterprises and BGF.

The company is developing a patented chemical production platform that eliminates the need for hydrogen fluoride, a hazardous chemical used in conventional fluorochemical manufacturing. This technology is intended for use in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and lithium-ion batteries, specifically targeting lithium hexafluorophosphate electrolyte salts.

Unlike traditional methods that require high-temperature processing and specialized equipment to handle toxic materials, FluoRok’s process utilizes mechanical activation. This approach allows for the use of commercially available industrial equipment and lower-grade mined feedstock. The company plans to use the new capital to build demonstrator facilities, expand its workforce, and support larger-scale customer product validation.