Turkish deep-tech fund 212 NexT, focused on advanced materials and
industrial technologies, has participated in Aepnus’ pre-Series A funding
round.
Founded by Lukas Hackl and Bilen Akuzum and headquartered in the US,
with additional operations in Canada and Germany, Aepnus is developing a
modular alternative to conventional energy-intensive production methods. The
company’s technology is designed to enable lower-carbon manufacturing while
reducing hazardous by-products such as chlorine gas, with applications across
the chemicals industry, heavy manufacturing, and critical mineral processing.
Dr Bilen Aküzüm, co-founder and CTO of Aepnus, said the company is
developing a new electrochemical production model aimed at enabling the
localised manufacturing of essential industrial chemicals that are challenging
to produce using conventional methods. Explaining the company’s focus, Aküzüm
said:
Today, Turkey alone spends more than $150 million annually on
caustic soda imports. Our approach strengthens supply security by enabling
safe, on-site and lower-carbon production of these critical inputs.
The
platform we are developing offers a more economical and scalable pathway for
producing caustic soda and sulfuric acid – chemicals widely used across battery
manufacturing, paper, textiles, heavy industry and in the processing of
critical metals.
With 212 NexT’s support, we are focused on accelerating global
commercialisation.
Commenting on the investment, Çağlar Urcan, Managing Partner at 212
NexT, said that Aepnus is addressing structural challenges in the production of
essential chemicals such as caustic soda, which are increasingly affected by
supply constraints and cost volatility.
The company’s modular, chlorine-free electrochemical process offers a
commercially viable and more sustainable alternative to conventional production
methods. By enabling competitive on-site manufacturing while eliminating
hazardous chlorine gas by-products, Aepnus combines clear economic value with
industrial scalability.
This positioning is particularly compelling given the
industrial depth of our investor base, including Akkök Group, a significant
Turkish player in the chlor-alkali and speciality chemicals value chain.
Emphasising Aepnus’ strategic relevance for Turkey, Urcan added that
localising advanced production technologies for key chemicals such as caustic
soda and sulfuric acid could strengthen supply security, support industrial
competitiveness, and contribute to green transformation goals.
He also said
that 212 NexT focuses on technologies with strong technical foundations,
industrial-scale potential, and long-term strategic value, noting that Aepnus
aligns with this investment approach.
The
investment will support further development and global scaling of the company’s
platform, including team expansion, progress across multiple markets, and the
strengthening of industrial partnerships.