Chinese tech company Horizon and thin-film technology specialist Leonhard Kurz are combining their expertise to launch a joint venture: Horizon-Kurz New Material Technology GmbH. Based in Fürth, the company brings together the strengths of both partners to develop and manufacture high-performance coating solutions for separator films in lithium-ion batteries. The partnership aims to significantly improve the safety, lifespan, and performance of lithium-ion batteries – particularly for the emerging electromobility sector in Europe.
Separator Films: The Core of Modern Lithium-Ion Batteries
With their high energy density and long service life, lithium-ion batteries are essential in numerous areas – from smartphones to stationary energy storage systems and electric vehicles. In order to meet the EU’s demand for regional supply chains, the relocation of key production steps to the EU is becoming increasingly important. Horizon-Kurz New Material Technology positions itself as a strategic partner in this shift: Centrally located in Europe, with deep automotive expertise and decades of experience in thin-film technology, the company delivers highly functional ceramic coatings that are efficient, sustainable, and reliable.
Separator films are key components of lithium-ion batteries. They reliably separate the anode from the cathode while allowing ion permeability – a crucial factor for battery performance and safety. Targeted coatings on these films can significantly enhance thermal stability, mechanical strength, and overall performance without impairing ion mobility. This is where the joint venture steps in, paving the way for a new generation of high-performance, safer batteries.
Expertise Meets Market Access
“With the new company and Horizon as the majority partner, we are tapping into a highly dynamic market segment with enormous future potential,” says Rainer Süßmann, Executive Senior Vice President of the Business Area Plastic Decoration at Kurz and Managing Director of Horizon-Kurz New Material. “Our expertise in developing and implementing functional coatings complements Horizon’s market insight and technological know-how. Together, we are laying the foundation for more efficient and safer batteries.”
Horizon also sees the partnership as a strategically important step. Xinkun Shi, CEO at Horizon and Managing Director of Horizon-Kurz New Material, emphasizes: “With Kurz, we have a strong partner that has been delivering innovative solutions in functional surface design for decades. Together, we are setting new standards for separator coatings and driving the advancement of high-performance battery cells.”
Sustainable, Precise Coating Made in Europe
The collaboration between Horizon and Kurz brings technological expertise and automotive experience to international customers—along with high supply security through EU-based production that meets strict quality and environmental standards. The coating is carried out using state-of-the-art processes that ensure precise and uniform layer application. Horizon-Kurz New Material Technology focuses on minimal material use and resource-efficient processes – an approach that makes both ecological and economic sense. The coated films are suitable for all standard cell formats – cylindrical and prismatic to pouch cells – enabling broad applicability, particularly in electromobility.
With resource-saving coating processes and high precision, Horizon-Kurz is a pioneer in one of the most critical technology fields of the coming decades. The company’s founding is more than just an economic step – it’s a clear commitment to innovation, regional focus and European value chains.
