German chemicals company BASF SE and machinery supplier Henkel AG & Co. are investing in a U.S. start-up functional chemistry firm, NBD Nanotechnologies Inc.
The Ludwigshafen-based BASF said Nov. 7 that it was “leading” an $8 million series B financing round in NBD Nano, which holds a proprietary platform technology that gives surfaces unique properties such as an ability to repel or adhere water, other liquids or fingerprints.
BASF is joined in the round by new investor Henkel Adhesive Technologies, along with existing investors of the Boston-based company, including Phoenix Venture Partners.
“NBD Nano's products allow for a tremendous variety of applications in electronics, consumer goods, and automotive,” said Markus Solibieda, managing director at BASF Venture Capital.
In addition, the company's technology platform offers a strong base for future innovations.
"Functional coatings are one of our key search fields for future innovations in our adhesive technologies business,” said Paolo Bavaj, head of corporate venturing at Henkel's adhesives group.
“Based on its robust technology platform, NBD Nano has demonstrated the ability to provide cost-effective surface solutions with unique and durable performances," he added.
NBD Nano's product offerings include RepelShellTM plastic additives that allow any plastic resin to become more repellent than the leading fluoropolymer technologies, and InvisiPrintTM coatings that significantly reduce fingerprint visibility on a variety of surfaces.