Ara Partners Acquires Controlling Stake in Polar Sapphire

Niobrara Capital and Prysm Capital Acquire Polar Semiconductor

September 24, 2024

Manufacturing

Polar Semiconductor has been sold to Niobrara Capital and Prysm Capital following a $175 million equity financing to convert the company into a majority U.S.-owned merchant foundry. The investors and federal/state CHIPS incentives will support a roughly $525 million investment to double wafer capacity, add compound semiconductor, sensor and power semiconductor capabilities, and create 160+ jobs in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Ara Partners Invests in Priority Power Management

February 11, 2019

Energy

Ara Partners, an industrial-focused private equity firm, has made a significant investment in Priority Power Management, an independent energy management services and consulting firm headquartered in Midland, Texas. The investment (terms not disclosed) will support Priority Power's organic growth and acquisition-led strategy, and Ara has taken board representation alongside Priority Power leadership and an industry representative from Teleios Commodities.

Ara Partners Invests in Blue Whale Materials to Build Lithium‑Ion Battery Recycling Platform

May 18, 2022

Environmental Services

Ara Partners, a private equity firm focused on industrial decarbonization, has made a growth investment in Blue Whale Materials to scale a lithium‑ion battery (LIB) recycling platform. The partnership will support building at least five recycling plants across the United States and Europe to recover critical battery materials (cobalt, nickel, manganese, lithium) and supply OEMs while improving supply‑chain resilience and lowering emissions.

Ara Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Path Environmental Technology

August 25, 2020

Industrial Services

Ara Partners, a private equity firm focused on industrial decarbonization, has made a majority investment in Path Environmental Technology, a Houston-based industrial services provider that cleans above-ground storage tanks and rail tank cars using proprietary, emissions-reducing technology. Ara Partners will provide growth capital to further develop Path's technology, expand the team and geographic footprint, and pursue platform-building through organic growth and strategic acquisitions; Sweat Equity Partners remains a significant equity holder.

Ara Partners Acquires Vacuumschmelze

October 10, 2023

Manufacturing

Ara Partners, a private equity firm focused on industrial decarbonization, has acquired Vacuumschmelze (VAC), a leading global producer of advanced magnetic materials and rare-earth permanent magnets, from funds managed by Apollo. The deal will support VAC's expansion of manufacturing capabilities — including planned North American capacity for EV-grade permanent magnets — to serve automotive, renewable energy and industrial customers.

Ara Partners Acquires Petainer

June 28, 2022

Packaging

Ara Partners, a private equity firm focused on industrial decarbonisation, has acquired Petainer Ltd., a UK-based manufacturer of sustainable PET beverage packaging. The transaction was completed in partnership with Petainer management and affiliates of Next Wave Partners LLP; Ara said the investment will support Petainer's expansion and continued development of refPET, rPET and circular packaging solutions.