2025: WIRED Trailblazer selection; Feb 2025: Experienced CEO appointed chair; Aug 2024: £8M Series A funding; 2016: Relocated to worlds largest continuous multi-material nanoparticle plant; 2007: Founded as University of Nottingham spinout
Promethean Particles supplies metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and other nanomaterials at industrial scale, targeting applications in carbon capture, printed electronics, and polymer additive manufacturing. Founded as a University of Nottingham spinout, the company operates what it claims is the world's largest continuous multi-material nanoparticle plant, a facility that distinguishes it from lab-scale producers of MOFs and conductive inks.
The company's core technology is a patented continuous-flow hydrothermal process that enables water-based, sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials. This process supports multi-material production, including copper-based conductive inks for 3D printing that the company says cost roughly one-twentieth that of silver-based alternatives. These inks are aimed at printed electronics applications such as RFID antennas, where lower material cost could enable broader adoption of additive manufacturing in electronics production.
Promethean Particles serves electronics manufacturers, solar cell makers, and environmental technology companies. Its MOF materials are also being piloted for carbon capture, including a pilot project with Drax. The company raised an £8 million Series A round in August 2024 led by Mercia Ventures and Aramco Ventures, with additional backing from the UK government and the European Innovation Council.
The company's primary competitive challenge is scaling adoption of MOFs and conductive inks beyond pilot projects into high-volume production for end markets like automotive tier-1s or aerospace primes. While its continuous manufacturing process offers a cost advantage over batch production, the market for 3D-printable conductive inks remains nascent, and Promethean Particles must demonstrate that its materials can meet the reliability and throughput requirements of industrial electronics manufacturing.
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