BASF Venture Capital invests in US nanotechnology company NanoMas

BASF Venture Capital GmbH, Ludwigshafen, has invested in the US startup company NanoMas Technologies Inc. NanoMas develops inks containing silver nanoparticles that are easily processed to electrical circuits in printed electronics, solar cells and special adhesives.

NanoMas Inc. raised $3.2 million (about €2.35 million) in its first round of financing, with BASF Venture Capital contributing $1.5 million (about €1.1 million). Other investors include Earthrise Capital Partners, LLC and NanoMaterials Investors, LLC. NanoMas will use the funds to expand its nanoparticle production capacity, invest further in research and development, and to support the marketing of its silver inks.

The US startup’s silver nanoparticles are suitable for use in transistors, conductors and semiconductors. Silver is highly conductive and functions better than other metals under oxidative conditions. The NanoMas chemical process enables the silver nanoparticles to be processed at low temperatures, thereby increasing efficiency and lowering cost. The process is also ideal for printing electronics on temperature-sensitive materials such as paper and plastics. Printed electronics is the basis for developing enhanced performance printed labels (radio frequency identification, RFID) which can be used for low cost labeling of consumer goods. The technology will enable RFID labels in the long term to replace the barcodes used by retailers today. In the RFID manufacturing process, the NanoMas silver nanoparticles are ideal for processing to electronic conductors.

“We are delighted to have in BASF Venture Capital an experienced technology partner that is a good match for us and can help us to achieve optimum business development,“ says Zhihao Yang, President and Chief Technology Officer of NanoMas Technologies, Inc. “This investment strengthens our development work in nanotechnology, one of BASF’s five growth clusters. Besides, the NanoMas technology complements BASF’s activities in Printed Electronics,” adds André Moreira, Investment Manager with BASF Venture Capital GmbH.

About NanoMas Technologies, Inc.
NanoMas Technologies, Inc. is an innovative technology leader in nanomaterials development and commercialization. Our proprietary technologies integrate the art of precision nano-scale engineering with low-cost mass production of functional nanomaterials; thereby, enabling the highest-performing conductive and semiconductive nanoparticle inks and pastes for the emerging printed electronics industry. For more information, see www.nanomastech.com.

About BASF Venture Capital GmbH
BASF Venture Capital GmbH was established in 2001 as a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF Future Business GmbH, Ludwigshafen, Germany, with the aim of exploring new growth potentials based on investment in startup companies and funds. BASF Venture Capital GmbH’s financial commitment per company is in the range of one to five million euros, with active support provided for young start-ups. BASF Venture Capital GmbH selects businesses for investment whose success factors include innovative chemistry-based solutions and which are of strategic interest for BASF. More information about BASF Venture Capital GmbH is available at www.basf-vc.de.

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.