Turkish Deep-Tech Fund 212 NexT Bets Big on US Startup Aepnus to Revolutionize Chemical Manufacturing

In a bold move that could reshape the global chemicals industry, Turkish deep-tech venture capital fund 212 NexT has made a strategic investment in Aepnus, a US-based startup pioneering modular, low-carbon electrochemical production technology. This investment, part of Aepnus’ pre-Series A funding round, signals a significant shift toward sustainable industrial manufacturing and positions Turkey at the forefront of green chemical production innovation.

The Problem: An Industry Ripe for Disruption

The conventional chemical manufacturing sector faces mounting challenges. Traditional methods for producing essential industrial chemicals like caustic soda and sulfuric acid are notoriously energy-intensive, environmentally damaging, and increasingly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. These chemicals form the backbone of numerous industries—from battery manufacturing and paper production to textiles and critical mineral processing—yet their production generates hazardous by-products, including toxic chlorine gas, while consuming enormous amounts of energy.

Turkey alone spends over $150 million annually on caustic soda imports, highlighting the vulnerability of relying on external supply chains for critical industrial inputs. As global demand for these chemicals continues to rise, particularly with the explosive growth of the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors, the need for innovative, localized, and sustainable production methods has never been more urgent.

The Solution: Aepnus’ Modular Electrochemical Revolution

Enter Aepnus, founded by Lukas Hackl and Bilen Akuzum, whose groundbreaking technology offers a modular alternative to conventional production methods. The company’s electrochemical platform enables the localized manufacturing of essential industrial chemicals while dramatically reducing carbon emissions and eliminating hazardous by-products.

What makes Aepnus’ approach truly revolutionary is its chlorine-free process that can be deployed on-site, giving manufacturers unprecedented control over their supply chains while significantly reducing transportation costs and environmental impact. The modular design allows for scalable deployment across various industrial settings, from large chemical plants to smaller manufacturing facilities requiring localized chemical production.

The technology’s versatility extends across multiple sectors. In battery manufacturing, it provides the caustic soda and sulfuric acid needed for electrode production and electrolyte formulation. The paper and textiles industries rely on these chemicals for processing and treatment. Perhaps most critically, the platform enables more sustainable processing of critical metals essential for the green energy transition.

Turkish Innovation Meets American Deep Tech

The partnership between 212 NexT and Aepnus represents a fascinating convergence of Turkish strategic vision and American technological innovation. 212 NexT, known for its focus on advanced materials and industrial technologies, brings more than just capital to the table. The fund’s industrial investor base, including the Akkök Group—a major Turkish player in the chlor-alkali and specialty chemicals value chain—provides Aepnus with immediate access to established industrial networks and market expertise.

Çağlar Urcan, Managing Partner at 212 NexT, emphasized the strategic importance of this investment, noting that Aepnus addresses fundamental challenges in chemical production that are becoming increasingly critical as supply constraints and cost volatility intensify. The fund’s decision to invest reflects a sophisticated understanding of how deep-tech innovations can transform traditional industries while delivering substantial economic and environmental benefits.

Strategic Implications for Turkey and Beyond

This investment carries profound implications for Turkey’s industrial future. By supporting technologies that enable localized production of critical chemicals, 212 NexT is helping to strengthen Turkey’s supply security while reducing dependence on imports. This aligns perfectly with Turkey’s broader industrial competitiveness goals and its commitment to green transformation.

Dr. Bilen Aküzüm, Aepnus’ co-founder and CTO, highlighted the economic and strategic dimensions of their technology. The ability to produce caustic soda and sulfuric acid on-site not only reduces costs but also provides manufacturers with greater operational flexibility and resilience against global supply chain disruptions. For a country like Turkey, which imports significant quantities of these chemicals, this technology represents a potential game-changer.

The Path Forward: Scaling for Global Impact

The investment will fuel Aepnus’ ambitious expansion plans, supporting team growth, market development across multiple regions, and the strengthening of industrial partnerships. The company’s approach—combining technical sophistication with clear commercial viability—positions it well for rapid scaling and widespread adoption.

What sets Aepnus apart is its ability to deliver both economic and environmental value. The modular, chlorine-free process not only reduces production costs but also eliminates hazardous emissions, making it attractive to manufacturers facing increasing pressure to decarbonize their operations. This dual value proposition—economic efficiency combined with environmental responsibility—is precisely what makes the technology so compelling to investors like 212 NexT.

A New Era in Industrial Manufacturing

The partnership between 212 NexT and Aepnus signals the beginning of a new era in chemical manufacturing—one characterized by modular, localized, and sustainable production methods. As industries worldwide grapple with the dual challenges of meeting growing demand for essential chemicals while reducing their environmental footprint, technologies like Aepnus’ offer a clear path forward.

This investment also highlights the growing importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing global industrial challenges. Turkish capital supporting American innovation, with applications spanning multiple continents, exemplifies how strategic investments can drive technological progress while delivering tangible economic and environmental benefits.

The success of this venture could catalyze similar innovations across other industrial sectors, accelerating the transition toward more sustainable manufacturing practices globally. As Aepnus scales its operations and demonstrates the commercial viability of its technology, it may well become a model for how deep-tech solutions can transform traditional industries while contributing to broader sustainability goals.

In an era where industrial competitiveness and environmental responsibility are increasingly intertwined, investments like this one represent not just financial opportunities but strategic moves toward a more sustainable and resilient industrial future. The partnership between 212 NexT and Aepnus may well be remembered as a pivotal moment in the evolution of sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Tags: Turkish deep tech, sustainable chemical manufacturing, Aepnus investment, 212 NexT fund, modular electrochemical production, green industrial technology, caustic soda innovation, supply chain resilience, industrial decarbonization, critical minerals processing, chlor-alkali alternatives, battery manufacturing chemicals, Turkish-American tech collaboration, advanced materials investment, sustainable manufacturing breakthrough

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