Participated · Series A · Nov 2023

Princeton NuEnergy is an advanced manufacturing leader in lithium-ion battery direct recycling, founded out of Princeton University and led by CEO Dr. Chao Yan. Its patented low-temperature plasma-assisted separation process (LPAS™) produces battery-grade cathode and anode materials suitable for direct reintroduction into cell manufacturing. The company says the process operates at roughly half the cost and with a much lower environmental footprint than conventional methods. PNE closed a $30M Series A and intends to use the funds to support construction of its first standalone, full-scale direct battery recycling advanced manufacturing facility, to be announced later this month. To date the company has raised over $55M, including multiple U.S. Department of Energy grants totaling $18M and a $7.9M seed & angel round. Strategic and corporate backers include Samsung Venture Investment Corporation and Helium-3, alongside previous investors such as Honda Motor Co. Ltd., LKQ Corporation, SCG Group, Traxys Group, and Wistron Corporation. Princenton NuEnergy develops a patented low-temperature plasma-assisted separation process (LPAS™) to perform direct recycling of lithium-ion batteries. The LPAS process is designed to reduce costs, environmental waste, and carbon emissions and to enable higher critical-material recovery rates and superior material performance versus traditional recycling methods. The company is led by CEO Dr. Chao Yan and is based in Bordentown, New Jersey. PNE intends to use recent funding to support construction of an Advanced Black Mass and Cathode Manufacturing Center in the southeastern U.S. 'battery belt'. Financially, the firm completed a Seed round of $7M and has secured multiple U.S. Department of Energy grants totaling $18M for battery recycling research. Over the past six months it has raised $26.4M in Series A funding in total, including an additional $10.3M announced in May 2024. Princeton NuEnergy is a Bordentown, New Jersey–based clean‑tech company founded out of Princeton University that develops direct recycling technology for lithium‑ion batteries. Its patented low‑temperature plasma‑assisted separation process (LPAS™) produces battery‑grade cathode and anode materials suitable for direct reintroduction into cell manufacturing. The company reports recycling efficiency rates of over 95% and claims exceptional ESG performance at roughly half the cost and with a lower environmental footprint versus conventional methods. In 2022 PNE launched an end‑to‑end production‑scale lithium‑ion battery direct recycling line in the U.S. The company raised $16M in a Series A and intends to use the funds to construct a new recycling facility and procure equipment to increase processing capacity and support operations. PNE has also received multiple U.S. Department of Energy research grants (most recently $12M and $4.375M) and previously completed seed rounds totaling $7M. Princeton NuEnergy develops a patented Direct Battery Recycling technology that converts spent lithium‑ion batteries from electric vehicles and consumer electronics into high‑quality, high value‑added cathode active materials. The company says its process lowers operating costs while delivering sustainable energy and environmental solutions. Led by CEO Dr. Yan Chao, the team includes co‑founder and CTO Dr. Yang Xiaofang and technical advisors Prof. Yiguang Ju and Prof. Bruce E. Koel. Princeton NuEnergy was spun out from Princeton University in 2019 and is based in Bordentown, New Jersey. The company intends to use the newly raised funds to scale development and accelerate growth. No operating metrics (revenue/users) were disclosed in the article. Princeton NuEnergy of Bordentown, New Jersey is developing a novel lithium‑ion battery recycling process to directly recover and regenerate used battery materials. The company says its process is simpler, more cost‑effective, and more environmentally friendly than current industrial recycling methods. With the process, critical battery materials such as the cathode and anode can be recycled, restored, and reused in new batteries without breaking materials down into raw elements. Princeton NuEnergy completed Cleantech Open’s six‑month accelerator program of mentorship, business training, and investor and partner networking. The company won Cleantech Open’s 2021 U.S. National Grand Prize, which includes a $50,000 SAFE note plus consulting and legal support. CEO Chao Yan said the award will help execute a pilot production line in Q1 2022 and strengthen intellectual property, business strategy, and marketing.