Chemicals innovator puts right elements in place for business growth

FluoRok’s technology replaces traditional hydrogen fluoride (HF)-based processes with an innovative system that activates calcium fluoride, offering a safer, greener and cost-effective alternative for producing fluorochemicals. This breakthrough is particularly significant for electric vehicle technologies and renewable energy storage.

By providing fluorochemical reagents and electrolyte salts essential for lithium-ion batteries, FluoRok is strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing costs in the energy sector. Its support for UK-based manufacturing aligns with the government’s net zero goals while creating opportunities for high-value jobs in regions like South Wales and the Midlands.

Beyond energy, FluoRok’s technology leverages industrial waste streams to create circular economies, opening new revenue streams and reducing dependency on imported materials. This positions the UK as a global leader in sustainable chemical manufacturing while addressing regulatory pressures on fluorochemical production.

Andrew Schwarz, VP of Business Development at FluoRok, explains: “Our system offers a step-change in safety and sustainability for fluorochemical production, supporting energy and manufacturing industries while addressing global environmental concerns.”

By eliminating HF, a highly toxic and corrosive gas, FluoRok’s innovative technology significantly reduces environmental impact while enhancing safety and scalability.

Strategic insights and sustainable growth

FluoRok’s journey with Innovate UK Business Growth began in 2023 with an in-depth needs assessment to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Together, the company and its dedicated Innovation and Growth Specialist, Darren Booker, developed a growth action plan focusing on finance, operational development, internationalisation and investment readiness.

As a first step in early 2023, FluoRok accessed support through the service’s Research & Technology Organisation (RTO)/Catapult grant, collaborating with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult—the UK’s leading hub for advanced manufacturing technologies. This partnership provided an economic viability assessment of FluoRok’s processes, validated the company’s value proposition and accelerated its scale-up strategy.

Building on this foundation, FluoRok was helped to match its ambitions with the right funding opportunities, and successfully secured additional Innovate UK grants. The Faraday Battery Challenge in January 2024 provided £770,000 to enhance its sustainable battery technologies, essential for electric vehicles. Then in August 2024, FluoRok received £50,000 from the Net Zero Pre-Commercialisation Support Fund to advance its sustainability and innovation efforts, contributing to impactful initiatives aligned with the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.

The Automotive Transformation Fund in September 2024 delivered £690,000 to support the development of competitive and zero-emission automotive supply chains. Finally, the Analysis for Innovators programme in November 2024 contributed £50,000 to address specific technical challenges and refine its manufacturing processes.

Andrew adds: “Faraday Battery Challenge and the Automotive Transformation Fund have proved pivotal to the business. They’ve allowed us to rapidly progress product development and collaborate with third-party experts like Catapults CPI in Sedgefield and Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick. This support has been essential in scaling and validating our technology.”

Additionally, other grants and support, including the Horizon Europe Pump Priming Grant, facilitated networking and partnership development, helping FluoRok build consortia and prepare proposals for collaborative research opportunities within Horizon Europe. This strategic support enabled the company to leverage larger opportunities and advance its vision for a high-value UK fluorochemical industry. These grants collectively derisked FluoRok’s operations, enabling the company to make significant strides toward scaling its innovations and become an attractive investment opportunity.

Driving impact and growth

The combined impact of Innovate UK Business Growth’s support and private investment has accelerated FluoRok’s growth. At the start of its support in September 2023, Innovate UK Business Growth conducted a targeted review of FluoRok’s pitch deck and financial strategy, helping to strengthen its investment readiness. Following an earlier investment of £3m by Oxford Science Enterprises in 2022, the company secured an additional £7.8 million in private funding in July 2024, led by BGF and Green Generation Fund, with additional investment from battery specialist Volta Energy Technologies and Oxford Science Enterprises.

This funding, alongside Innovate UK grants, allowed FluoRok to create five specialised roles, including a Head of Engineering and Senior Analytical Development Chemist, bringing FluoRok to a total of 13 employees and accelerating the scale-up of its technology.

Andrew says: “Darren has been a fantastic help, acting as a critical independent advisor and resource. He has enabled us to navigate the commercial environment and develop our business strategy as a small enterprise with limited resources.

“His expertise in operations, commercial activities and funding has been vital in securing crucial grants and growing our international customer base.”

Andrew concludes: “The partnership with Innovate UK Business Growth opened doors to wider opportunities, which helped advance our product and strengthen our operational framework. Their support has been pivotal in helping us scale efficiently and prepare for long-term growth.”
With its cutting-edge technology and strategic support from Innovate UK, FluoRok is leading the charge in sustainable innovation, driving economic growth and creating a safer world for future generations.

The partnership with Innovate UK Business Growth opened doors to wider opportunities, which helped advance our product and strengthen our operational framework. Their support has been pivotal in helping us scale efficiently and prepare for long-term growth.

– Andrew Schwarz, VP of Business Development