PINEY FLATS, TN – Global battery separator manufacturer, Microporous, announced it has secured multiple Offtake Agreements totaling over half a billion square meters annually of its ionForce® battery separator products, which will support over 50 GWh of annual battery capacity. This secured demand supports Microporous’ existing coated battery separator production line in Piney Flats, TN, and enabled a path to financing its factory expansion in Danville, Virginia, with a targeted start of production in 2027.

The agreements were signed with several domestic battery manufacturers whose products include a broad array of advanced, high-performance chemistries such as lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-sulfur. The agreements represent the majority of Microporous’ existing and planned total production capacity over the next five years.

“These agreements demonstrate the trust our partners place in Microporous and the performance of our ionForce® separators across multiple battery platforms. With this committed demand, we are well-positioned to scale our operations, advance our Virginia expansion, and deliver the high-quality materials needed to power the next wave of energy innovation,” states John Reeves, Chief Executive Officer at Microporous.

The Offtake Agreements bolster Microporous’ Piney Flats, TN production line, which has been in operation since early 2025, and allowed Microporous to finalize financing for its expansion at the new Southern Virginia Megasite facility. The new VA plant is expected to begin production in late 2027 and reach full capacity in 2028.

In January 2025, Microporous announced a $100 million Department of Energy grant award under the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program to support the existing separator coating plant in Piney Flats, Tennessee and the Danville, Virginia plant expansion. In July 2025, Microporous held a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the successful startup of its first coated separator production line at its existing facility in Piney Flats, TN. The announced Offtake Agreements further bolster Microporous’ expansion plans, commitment to innovation in advanced energy manufacturing, and efforts in strengthening domestic energy supply chain resilience.

About Microporous

Microporous is a global leader in the manufacturing of battery separators. Serving industries include automotive, industrial, and energy storage. The company is committed to advancing battery technology through high-performance, reliable separator solutions. Microporous maintains production facilities in Piney Flats, TN, Feistritz, Austria, and soon in Danville, VA.

Financing led by Elda River Capital Management, LLC (“Elda River”) and Eagle Point Credit Management LLC (“Eagle Point”) advances previously announced plant development.

Danville, VA –Apr 30, 2026, 09:01 ET

Microporous, a leading manufacturer of advanced battery separators and a portfolio company of Trent Capital Partners, today announced it has secured funding for its Danville, VA manufacturing facility. Financing is being provided by Trent, Eagle Point and Elda River. With comprehensive financing now in place, construction on the new plant is set to begin imminently.

The Danville facility will produce battery separators for lithium-ion batteries and, at full capacity, is expected to support approximately 65 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery production annually. The investment marks a critical step in expanding Microporous’ ability to serve the rapidly growing demand for energy storage solutions across automotive, industrial, and grid applications.

“This is a pivotal milestone for Microporous as we move from planning into execution,” said John Reeves, CEO of Microporous. “With the support of Trent, Eagle Point and Elda River, we are accelerating our expansion and strengthening our ability to deliver high-performance separator solutions for the lithium-ion battery market.”

The new facility, which was previously announced, will significantly enhance Microporous’ manufacturing footprint and is expected to contribute to regional economic development through job creation and long-term investment.

Ray Desrocher, Managing Partner of Trent Capital Partners added: “We are thrilled to support the next phase of Microporous’ growth and for its continued expansion of lithium-ion separator production here in the U.S.  A significant augmentation of the company’s existing lithium-ion separator production capacity in Piney Flats, TN will position Microporous to serve this exploding market for years to come.  We are pleased to partner with Eagle Point and Elda River and look forward to the start of construction.”

“Eagle Point is thrilled to partner with Microporous to support this significant expansion of the company’s battery separator manufacturing capabilities,” said Jennifer Powers, Principal and Head of Infrastructure Credit at Eagle Point. “Our partnership with Microporous places Eagle Point at the forefront of financing critical supply chain resilience in the energy ecosystem. Microporous’ deep operating history, experienced team and established market position made this a compelling opportunity for our energy-transition focused infrastructure business.”

“We are excited to support Microporous as they launch this new chapter in the company’s more than 90 year history,” said Craig Rohr, Partner and Co-Founder at Elda River. “Establishing a state-of-the-art facility in Danville represents a significant advancement in re-shoring critical battery component production and contributing to the revitalization of U.S. industrial capabilities. We are proud to back a business that is driving innovation, job creation and energy security in the United States.”

Construction is expected to begin May, 2026 with additional project details to be shared as development progresses.

About Microporous
Microporous is a global leader in the manufacturing of battery separators. Serving industries include automotive, industrial, and energy storage. The company is committed to advancing battery technology through high-performance, reliable separator solutions.  Microporous maintains production facilities in Piney Flats, TN, Feistritz, Austria, and soon in Danville, VA.

About Trent Capital Partners

Trent Capital Partners was established in 2010 to invest in businesses where superior execution can generate superior returns.  The firm believes that return on capital employed in a business is, above all else, the primary driver of value, and thereby, equity returns. Trent Capital Partners seeks to deploy capital in unique, asymmetric opportunities suited to growth, typically through a combination of market-driven and operationally-driven dynamics. 

About Eagle Point Credit Management

Eagle Point® is an investment manager focused on private credit strategies in inefficient markets, including Portfolio Debt Securities, Regulatory Capital Relief transactions, Infrastructure Credit, Strategic Credit investments, Specialty Finance and CLO securities. Founded by Thomas Majewski in partnership with Stone Point Capital in 2012, Eagle Point manages $14 billion on behalf of institutional and retail investors and has over 120 professionals. Please visit www.EaglePointCredit.com for more information.

About Elda River

Elda River Capital is a real assets investment firm focused on energy and energy infrastructure opportunities. The Elda River team has a long history of partnering with exceptional management teams to create value for its stakeholders. Since inception, Elda River has committed over $7.3 billion of capital across more than 74 completed investments.  Elda River is headquartered in Houston, Texas with an additional office in Chicago, Illinois. Visit www.eldariver.com for more information.

Microporous contact:

John Mahoney | Director, Sales & Marketing | [email protected]

Trent Capital contact: 

Ray Desrocher | Managing Partner | Trent Capital Partners | [email protected]

Eagle Point contact:

Media | [email protected]

Elda River contact: 

[email protected] 

How Lead-Acid Batteries Drive the Circular Economy

Spring is the season of regeneration, a time when the old provides the foundation for the new. In the industrial world, this idea applies to the life cycle of a lead-acid battery. 

While other battery chemistries are still searching for a sustainable endgame, lead-acid batteries have already mastered it. With a 99% recycling rate, they are one of the most recycled types in the world.

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The “Closed-Loop” 

A circular economy isn’t just about avoiding the landfill. The goal is to create a continuous loop where materials never lose their value.

• 99% of a lead-acid battery is recyclable and can be reused without loss of performance.
• The battery casings are ground down into pellets to create new cases.
• The sulfuric acid is neutralized and turned into sodium sulfate, or simply reclaimed for new batteries.

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Circular System Lifespans

A circular economy works best when the product lasts as long as possible before needing to be reborn. This is where Microporous innovation in lead-acid battery separators comes into play.

• By using advanced materials, Microporous separators provide superior oxidation resistance and mechanical strength. This prevents premature internal failures, ensuring the battery stays in service for its maximum lifespan.
• Microporous leads the industry with the lowest solvent emissions, ensuring that the reuse of energy storage doesn’t come at a high environmental impact during the separator manufacturing phase.

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A Sustainable Legacy for 2026

As we look at the energy demands of 2026, from backup power for massive data centers to the starting power for the “aging fleets” on our roads, the reliability of the lead-acid battery remains unmatched. 

This spring, as you think about renewal, remember that the battery in your car or the backup system in your local hospital is part of a perfect circle. Through precision engineering and a commitment to low-emission production, Microporous is proud to be the invisible backbone of a reliable legacy. 

 

Piney Flats TN – March 6, 2026 – Recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East have led to significant volatility and sharp increases in global energy markets.

Energy remains a key driver not only of direct manufacturing costs but also of upstream raw material pricing. As a result, substantial cost pressure is being observed across critical manufacturing inputs, including silica, polyethylene, and process oil, whose pricing structures are closely linked to energy market dynamics.

In light of the magnitude and speed of these developments, Microporous is conducting a detailed assessment of the overall impact on its production costs and supply chain operations.

The company is currently evaluating the implementation of a surcharge as measure to reflect the exceptional increases in energy-related input costs.

This action is being considered with great care and solely in response to extraordinary market conditions. Microporous remains fully committed to transparency, reliability of supply, and long-term partnership with its customers and stakeholders.

Further information and a comprehensive update will be communicated as soon as the assessment process is completed.

Regional sales account managers remain available to provide additional details.

 

About Microporous LLC

Microporous is a leading international supplier of lead acid battery separators. Over our 80+ year history, Microporous has firmly established a reputation for quality and service. With our excellent logistics and technical service teams, we offer the broadest line of high-performance battery separators to a global customer base.

David Mihara shown with Microporous R&D associates Sachin Kumar, Divya Tiwari, David Mihara, Timothy Campbell, and Jamie Miller

 

Microporous, LLC announces retirement of David Mihara

 

David Mihara, Vice President of Technology has made the decision to retire after over 35 years of experience in the battery and battery separator industries. His last day with Microporous will be November 30, 2022.

“We announce David’s decision with mixed emotions,” said John Reeves, President & CEO of Microporous. “David has had a positive and lasting impact on not only our Technology and R&D teams, but the company overall. His expertise, insights and leadership have helped Microporous make significant advances in the lead acid battery industry.”

“It has been a rewarding experience to work with the great people on the Microporous team,” said Mihara. “I am proud of the products and support Microporous can now provide its customers around the world, but now it’s time for me to focus on my wife, our friends, and travel.”

“On behalf of everyone at Microporous, we wish David the best in his future endeavors,” addedReeves. “While we look for David successor, we appreciate his work building a foundation for the significant developments we will be sharing during 2023.”