What CIS Chemical does

CIS Chemical (CIS Chemical Co., Ltd.) is a South Korea-based inorganic materials specialist founded in 2012 that produces precursors and ceramic materials for secondary batteries and high-tech industrial applications. Its core offering is the proprietary CMS Process (CIS Multi Solutions), which combines selective leaching (a hybrid wet process) with synergistic solvent extraction (SSX) to recover nickel, cobalt, and lithium from waste battery resources and to produce high-purity MHP (mixed hydroxide precipitate) and battery-grade lithium carbonate at 95%+ recovery rates and 30%+ lower energy cost than conventional solvent extraction. The company also manufactures high-purity alumina (99.9%+ purity) using the world's only electrically heated tunnel kiln for this application, with downstream products including nano alumina for separator coatings, transition alumina for CNT manufacturing, aluminum hydroxide for NCA/NCMA cathodes, and alumina granules/spheres/plates for semiconductor, display, and automotive applications.

The company operates two manufacturing sites: a Gwangju headquarters facility (since 2015, 2,000 tonnes/year high-purity alumina capacity) and the Gwangyang Sepung Industrial Complex facility (Phase 1 operational December 2023 with 20,000 tonnes/year MHP capacity; Phase 2 lithium carbonate completed October 2025). Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales of precursor materials (MHP, nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, lithium compounds) to Korean and Chinese cathode manufacturers and through export of high-purity alumina to Japanese materials companies, with a long-standing 10+ year relationship with a Japanese customer generating USD 2M+ in annual contracts. Go-to-market is sales-led, event-driven (InterBattery exhibitions), and reinforced by IR activity targeting KOSDAQ tech-special listing, with cumulative Pre-IPO fundraising of approximately KRW 588 billion from KB Securities, Korea Development Bank, SeAh Techvest, TiInvest, Genexis, and IM Partners.

The business model targets the strategic pain point of Korean battery manufacturers' 79% dependency (90%+ from China) on imported precursors, positioning domestic precursor recycling and high-purity ceramic materials as a supply chain and ESG-compliance solution aligned with EU Battery Regulation and US IRA requirements. Recent strategic moves include closed-loop recycling MOUs with L&F (cathode specialist) and Battery Solutions (Keeps BioPharma subsidiary), designation as a national core strategic technology holder and supply chain stabilization leader in lithium carbonate, and an ongoing KOSDAQ tech-special IPO attempt following voluntary withdrawal in October 2024.

Name

CIS Chemical

Legal name

주식회사 CIS케미칼

Website

https://cischem.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CIS Chemical is a South Korean inorganic materials specialist that uses its proprietary CMS Process (selective leaching plus SSX solvent extraction) to produce nickel, cobalt, and lithium precursors and battery-grade lithium carbonate from waste battery materials, alongside high-purity alumina for semiconductor and battery applications, serving Korean and Chinese cathode manufacturers plus Japanese advanced materials customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Battery Materials

NAICS

Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (33141), Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing (3313)

SIC

Secondary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3341)

akta.pro primary industry

Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate) (IMAKAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nickel-Based Battery Recycling (NiMH/NiCd Processing) (EUAIAIAH), Battery Scrap & Recycling Feedstock (Lead-Acid, Li-ion Black Mass Feedstock, NiMH) (IMAKAMAH), Battery Raw Materials Mining & Refining (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Graphite) (EUAFABAA), Battery & Energy Storage High-Purity Chemicals (Electrolyte salts/solvents, additives) (IMAEAKAM)

Keywords

• Battery precursor materials
• Secondary battery materials
• High-purity alumina
• Battery recycling
• Cathode materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Gwangsan

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Secondary Battery Precursor Materials: Production and sale of precursor raw materials (MHP, nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, lithium compounds, metal complexes) for secondary battery cathode manufacturers. Revenue from domestic Korean companies and Chinese precursor manufacturers. Primary growth driver following Gwangyang facility expansion.
2. High-Purity Alumina and Ceramic Materials: Sale of high-purity alumina products including nano alumina, granular/spherical/plate alumina, and advanced ceramic materials for semiconductor, display, structural ceramics, thermal management, and secondary battery applications. Export to Japan (R Company and others) and domestic supply.
3. Cathode Doping Materials (Additives): Supply of various cathode doping (additive) materials including metal hydroxides (Co, Ba, B), tungsten composite oxides, lithium carbonate, and specialized compounds for secondary battery anode/cathode electrode coatings. Sold to domestic and international battery material companies.
4. Recycling and Circular Economy Materials: Emerging revenue stream from battery recycling operations including LFP and NCM black mass processing, recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt, and iron phosphate. Partnered with Battery Solutions (Keeps BioPharma subsidiary) and L&F for recycling value chain partnerships.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CIS Chemical manufactures high-purity secondary battery precursor materials—including nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, lithium carbonate, MHP, nickel oxide, nickel metal, and metal complexes—using its proprietary CMS Process that combines selective leaching and synergistic solvent extraction (SSX). It also produces high-purity alumina-based advanced ceramic materials (nano alumina, transition alumina, aluminum hydroxide, granular/spherical alumina) for battery separator coatings, semiconductor/display, and thermal management applications.

Product overview

CIS Chemical is a comprehensive materials specialist offering two major product lines: secondary battery materials and advanced ceramic materials. The secondary battery materials portfolio includes nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate, lithium compounds, MHP (nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate), nickel oxide, nickel metal, and metal complexes—all produced using the proprietary CMS Process combining selective leaching and synergistic solvent extraction (SSX) technology. The company also produces alumina-based materials including high-purity nano alumina for separator coatings, transition alumina for CNT applications, aluminum hydroxide for cathodes, and high-purity alumina for electrode coatings. Advanced ceramic materials include granules/spheres/plates, ceramic component materials for semiconductors/displays, polishing materials, thermal conductive gap fillers, and EMC fillers. The portfolio integrates from precursor raw materials through coating materials, providing comprehensive solutions for the secondary battery industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nickel Sulfate (NiSO4·6H2O) High-purity nickel sulfate for secondary battery cathode precursor materials, produced through the proprietary CMS Process.
• Cobalt Sulfate (CoSO4·7H2O) High-purity cobalt sulfate for secondary battery cathode precursor materials, produced through the proprietary CMS Process.
• Lithium Compounds High-purity lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for secondary battery cathode materials, featuring 95%+ recovery rates through SSX technology.
• MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate) Nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate for secondary battery cathode precursor production, with controlled nickel content above 30% in the standard grade and above 40% in the Pure-MHP grade.
• Nickel Oxide High-purity nickel oxide with nickel content exceeding 70% for secondary battery applications.
• Nickel Metal High-purity nickel metal with nickel content exceeding 90% for secondary battery applications.
• Metal Complexes ((Ni+Co)SO4) Metal complex solutions containing both nickel and cobalt sulfates for secondary battery precursor production.
• High Purity Nano Alumina Nano-sized high-purity alumina (99.9%+ purity) for secondary battery separator ceramic coatings, providing thermal and mechanical strength enhancement.
• Transition Alumina (AlOOH) Transition alumina for carbon nanotube (CNT) manufacturing applications in secondary batteries.
• Aluminum Hydroxide (Al(OH)3) High-purity aluminum hydroxide for cathode (NCA/NCMA) applications in secondary batteries.
• High Purity Alumina High-purity alumina for cathode and anode electrode coatings in secondary batteries.
• High Purity Alumina Granules/Spheres/Plates Al2O3-based granular, spherical, and plate-form alumina materials for various industrial applications including CIP/press processes.
• Ceramic Component Materials for Semiconductor/Display Ceramic component materials for semiconductor and display manufacturing processes.
• Thermal Conductive Gap Filler/Gap Pad High dielectric and thermal conductive gap filler and gap pad materials for secondary batteries.
• EMC Filler Epoxy molding compound (EMC) filler materials for structural ceramic parts.
• Cathode Doping Materials (Additives) Lithium compounds, metal oxides, hydroxides (Co, Ba, B), tungsten composite oxides, and lithium carbonate produced via optimized air jet mill process for secondary battery anode/cathode electrode coatings.
• Battery Recycling Services (LFP and NCM Black Mass) Recycling of LFP and NCM waste battery black mass to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, and iron phosphate through CMS/SSX process technologies, in partnership with Battery Solutions and L&F.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30%+ production cost reduction vs. conventional solvent extraction processes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Battery Solutions (Keeps BioPharma subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025Battery Solutions (subsidiary of Keeps BioPharma) signed MOU with CIS Chemical for LFP waste battery recycling cooperation on June 24. Battery Solutions handles pre-treatment (collection, discharging, dismantling, shredding) while CIS Chemical manages post-treatment to recover lithium and iron phosphate from black mass. Establishes clear division of labor between the two companies in battery recycling operations.
• Gwangju Metropolitan City / Gwangju Research & Development Special Zone AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2025Partnership with Gwangju R&D Special Zone for technology commercialization, innovation ecosystem participation, and regional economic development. CIS Chemical was selected as Advanced Technology Enterprise No. 176 in 2019, enabling access to government support programs, R&D funding, and collaborative innovation ecosystem with local universities and research institutions.
• Gwangyang City / Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone Authority / Jeollanam-dosupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2025Multi-party agreement for secondary battery circulation and utilization activation signed in Gwangyang on June 11. Partners include Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do, Gwangyang Bay Free Economic Zone Authority, Jeonnam Techno Park, and Gwangyang E&S. Agreement focuses on establishing efficient circulation system for battery resources, creating recycling industry base, and building sustainable eco-friendly industrial ecosystem.
• National Mokpo University (국립목포대학교)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2025MOU signed between CIS Chemical and Mokpo National University's Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering for joint workforce development and R&D in secondary battery materials. Key areas include building secondary battery practice infrastructure within the university, operating industry-academia linkage programs for talent development and recruitment, developing specialized curricula reflecting industry needs, and pursuing joint R&D projects.
• L&F (엘앤에프)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025CIS Chemical and L&F (cathode material specialist) signed an MOU for LFP and NCM battery recycling cooperation. The partnership aims to build a circular value chain covering the entire battery lifecycle: from feedstock sourcing (LFP/NCM recycling materials), joint technology development, closed-loop supply of recycled materials, and quality/ applicability verification. Both parties will cooperate on mid-to-long-term business model development in battery recycling.
• Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy / Korea Technology and Information Promotion Institute (Gwangju TP) / 18 consortia companiessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2023CIS Chemical selected as lead institution for Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 5-year 'High-Ni Secondary Battery Cathode Material Lithium High-Corrosion-Resistant Refractory Material and Component Technology Development' project (Total KRW 307.7 billion, government KRW 248.8 billion). CIS Chemical leads Sub-task 1 with 3 industry-academia-research institutions developing lithium-resistant raw materials using spinel and alumina. 18 consortia organizations participate with MIRAICERATEC as lead.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SungEel HiTech: Korea's largest battery recycling specialist with similar proprietary metal extraction technology; competes directly with CIS Chemical in the domestic Korean precursor and recycling market and is the most direct comparable on technology and customer overlap.
• GEM Co., Ltd. China's leading battery recycling and Ni/Co precursor manufacturer; competes with CIS Chemical on global precursor pricing and on Korean customer accounts, and is the dominant Asian player in waste-to-precursor hydrometallurgy.

Broad incumbents

• Umicore: Belgian global materials giant with a sizable battery materials and recycling business; competes with CIS Chemical in cathode precursor supply and recycling/refining services, but operates across a far broader portfolio including catalysts and precious metals.
• Glencore: Global mining and commodities trader with major cobalt and nickel operations and growing battery materials footprint; competes with CIS Chemical on raw material sourcing/refining economics and on downstream precursor supply.
• Sumitomo Metal Mining: Japanese non-ferrous metals major producing nickel/cobalt/refined metals and cathode materials; overlaps with CIS Chemical's high-purity alumina exports to Japan and competes in Asian battery materials supply chains.
• POSCO Future M: Korean cathode active material and precursor producer with vertically integrated nickel sulfate operations; competes with CIS Chemical in Korean precursor supply and is a downstream counterparty for recycled MHP/lithium carbonate.
• Ecopro BM: Major Korean high-Ni cathode active material producer; a key downstream customer for CIS Chemical's precursors and a benchmark for Korean battery materials peer valuation ahead of CIS Chemical's KOSDAQ re-listing.
• Huayou Cobalt: Chinese vertically integrated cobalt/nickel materials and precursor manufacturer with global recycling investments; competes with CIS Chemical on precursor pricing and is the type of integrated Chinese counterparty that CIS Chemical's CMS Process is designed to localize against.

Regional players

• Tanaka Chemical Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of nickel/cobalt cathode precursors and battery chemicals; competes with CIS Chemical in the Japanese and Korean precursor markets and serves overlapping cathode customers in Asia.
• Nippon Chemical Industrial: Japanese specialty chemicals producer with high-purity alumina and electronic chemicals lines; competes directly with CIS Chemical in high-purity alumina exports to Japan (e.g., to R Company and similar materials customers).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance20 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIS Chemical