Day at the office as Lead Business Developer
For anyone who is curious about what a commercial role in a high-tech company consists of, Sandra shares a typical day at work as our business developer.
Kalpana Systems has secured new international investment to accelerate the commercial rollout of its spatial ALD technology, enabling next-generation barrier coatings for sustainable packaging, solar cells and batteries. The funding round includes Australian non-profit Minderoo Foundation and existing investors such as Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam.
The investment enables the Kalpana Systems to accelerate bringing the first machines for producing ultra-thin barrier coatings to market.
Better Barriers with Spatial ALD
Spatial ALD technology enables the creation of ultra-thin barrier coatings that are just a few nanometres thick. This way, spatial ALD technology minimises the use of barrier material. Thanks to an innovative transport system, the protective layers are applied continuously and at high speeds onto the flexible substrate. This roll-to-roll production method drastically reduces costs. This makes spatial ALD a technology that can significantly improve the sustainability of solar cells, the performance of batteries and the recyclability of packaging.
Want to know more? Take a deep dive into our technology
From pilot line to industrial production
The commercial version of the thin-film machine, which can be installed at manufacturers’ facilities, is expected to be ready by mid-2026. The investment also helps shorten production time and accelerate entry into international markets.
The funding additionally supports development of a high-speed production line for sustainable packaging applications, an area where industry requirements are rapidly evolving. To meet these challenges, we are targeting production speeds up to 30 times higher than current standards, delivering commercially viable solutions for the future of environmentally friendly packaging.
“This investment round provides the resources to accelerate our flagship K300 machine to market, whilst taking crucial steps in the packaging sector,” says Diederick Spee, CEO. “Our ultimate goal is to use spatial ALD to meet the performance and cost requirements of international packaging manufacturers.”
Demand for Recyclable Barrier Materials
New EU regulations on composite plastic use and corporate sustainability targets are driving demand for recyclable and compostable packaging. Several multinational consumer goods companies are currently testing Kalpana Systems’ nano-barrier coatings in a pilot program. The spatial ALD coatings can replace complex multi-barrier layers whilst offering comparable protection against oxygen and moisture, enabling paper-based or mono-material packaging to remain fully recyclable.
Minderoo joins as strategic partner
The addition of Australian-based Minderoo Foundation brings a partner with strong commitment to reducing plastic pollution. “Minderoo Foundation is turning innovation into impact through this investment in Kalpana Systems. Rather than seeking short-term results, Minderoo Foundation is firmly focused on driving lasting change. We believe these investments demonstrate the power of impact capital when funders and innovators are aligned on the mission to solve the scourge of plastic,” says John Hartman, CEO of Minderoo. This partnership expands Minderoo’s portfolio in research and commercial applications for plastic reduction.
Learn more about our new partner Minderoo Foundation
Current investors support strategic roadmap and regional scale-up
Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam (ETFR) and other early-stage investors continue supporting Kalpana Systems as it expands from applications in solar cells, OLED and batteries into sustainable packaging. “This follow-on investment enables Kalpana Systems to scale its groundbreaking technology for sustainable packaging and solar energy from Rotterdam, demonstrating how deeptech from our region can grow into a global industrial force,” says Mathijs van Rijk, Senior Investment Manager at Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam.
Our presence in Rotterdam strengthens the region’s position as a hub for sustainable innovation. Chantal Zeegers, Alderman for Climate, Construction and Housing for the City of Rotterdam, says: “Choosing Rotterdam, Kalpana Systems demonstrates that this is the place where technology, manufacturing and sustainability converge. Their presence strengthens our position as a leading hub for high-tech production, talent and collaboration.”
Discover the sustainability ambitions of the City of Rotterdam via the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam (in Dutch)
Next steps
- Commercial roll-to-roll spatial ALD system ready for deployment in 2026
- Further development to achieve high production speeds suitable for integration into packaging industry production lines
- Process improvements for advanced barrier coatings and solar cell applications
Interested in the commercial version of our roll-to-roll spatial ALD machine for your production line? Contact Sandra Wiegman through our Contact form.
