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Global Cleantech 100 list: Tau Group makes significant contributions to sustainable innovation. Turin, January 15, 2024. Tau Group, a technology company leading the energy transition, decarbonization and electrification of transport, has been named on Cleantech Group’s 2024 Global Cleantech 100. This annual list, now in its 15th year, serves as a definitive guide to the top companies making significant contributions to sustainable innovation. Tau has positioned itself as an innovative supplier to the automotive industry by establishing a new global standard in electric motor insulated wire. Its wire addresses the industry’s demand for the next generation of motors to have a minimized carbon footprint, use fewer resources, and enhance the efficiency, range, and recharge time of electric vehicles. The key lies in the wire’s superior resistance to partial discharge and its ability to accommodate voltages of 800V and higher. The use of high-performance polymers with proprietary coating technology enables Tau to produce wire that facilitates higher performance, leading to smaller and more reliable electric motors—a crucial element in the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles. The Global Cleantech 100 features top private companies with innovative solutions in sectors like Agriculture & Food, Energy & Power, Materials & Chemicals, Resources & Environment, and Transportation & Logistics. Selected through a rigorous evaluation, these companies provide sustainable answers to address the climate and environmental crisis. “These innovative companies are driving positive change and are at the forefront of enabling the global transition to a more sustainable future,” said Richard Youngman, CEO, Cleantech Group.  “The Global Cleantech 100 is a recognition of the market’s positive view on their progress to date and their potential impact in building a cleaner, decarbonized world.” "At Tau Group, we believe in the power of innovation to address environmental challenges. Being part of Cleantech Group's Global Cleantech 100 highlights our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future" said Francesco Taiariol, Tau Group’s Co-founder and CEO. In line with its dedication to continuous improvement, Tau Group is actively increasing its production capacity in its new plant in Pianezza (TO), Italy. This expansion will play a pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for its insulated wire, reinforcing Tau Group's position in the energy transition and sustainable innovation. Download the Global Cleantech 100 complimentary report where Cleantech Group shares further insights and perspectives on the state of global cleantech innovation. About Tau Group Tau is a technology company at the core of energy transition, decarbonization of energy and electrification of transport. Its patented technologies reconcile the necessity of sustainable, resource-minimizing manufacturing with the power, reliability and performance that electrification requires to enable smaller, greener, longer-lasting and more powerful motors, transformers and generators. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on X and LinkedIn About Cleantech Group Cleantech Group is the leading authority on global cleantech innovation. Since 2002, its research has assisted corporations, the public sector, investors, and others in identifying, assessing, and engaging with innovative solutions and opportunities related to the world’s massive and growing environmental and climate challenges.

Tau Group has been selected as a Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneer Hello Tomorrow Investor Day & Global Summit, Paris Turin, November 24, 2023. Tau Group Tau Group has been selected as a Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneer. Tau Group proudly announces its selection as a Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneer for 2023, positioning itself among a distinguished group of visionaries, innovators, and disruptors at the forefront of revolutionizing industries through deep tech. This follows a rigorous selection process that evaluated 4,500 applications from 120 countries. As part of the DTP, Tau Group will participate in Investor Day on March 20th, 2024, and in The Hello Tomorrow Global Summit from March 21st to 22nd, 2024, in Paris. Investor Day provides Tau Group with the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, pitch groundbreaking ideas, and explore potential collaborations that further enhance our mission. The Hello Tomorrow Global Summit, a two-day event, will bring together 3,000 of the brightest minds in deep tech, fostering discussions about the future of technology and providing a platform for networking and inspiration. This platform serves as a catalyst for Tau Group to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and making lasting impacts on industries. About Hello Tomorrow Hello Tomorrow was created in 2011 by a group of individuals convinced that science has the potential to change the world for the better, but that the traditional model of technology transfer to bring solutions from lab to market – and from idea to impact – could not rise to this challenge. Since then, Hello Tomorrow has built and orchestrated the largest and widest Deep Tech network as well as helping Deep Tech startups and corporations build new solutions. Hello Tomorrow Global Summit is the closing event of the Deep Tech Days, which is a week-long gathering in Paris made up of events dedicated to celebrating and accelerating deep tech innovation: connecting key people bringing solutions from lab to market and strengthening the deep tech investment network. The flagship events include: the Hello Tomorrow Investor Day, Financing the Future and the Global Summit. About Tau Group Tau is a technology company at the core of energy transition, decarbonization of energy and electrification of transport. Its patented technologies reconcile the necessity of sustainable, resource-minimizing manufacturing with the power, reliability and performance that electrification requires to enable smaller, greener, longer-lasting and more powerful motors, transformers and generators. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on X and LinkedIn

Tau Group is scaling up with a new production plant for E-mobility applications. Local partnerships, innovation, and sustainability Turin, November 09, 2023. Tau Group is proud to announce a significant milestone towards sustainability and innovation with the establishment of an E-Mobility production plant just outside of Turin, in Pianezza, Italy. As we set our sights on electrification, we are establishing a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Pianezza. Spanning approximately 4,000 square meters, it will have the capacity to produce up to 12,000 tons of high-performance wire and is estimated to create more than 70 new jobs. At Tau, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. This facility is designed to reduce our current footprint and optimize the energy we use in our process. “Our new facility in Pianezza complements our existing operations in Italy. We value our relationship with local suppliers and are committed to promoting the values of automotive and Made in Italy products. Our partnerships with local businesses and communities will help foster the spirit of innovation and craftsmanship for which Italy is renowned.” Francesco Taiariol, Tau Group’s CEO and Co-founder, explains. We're taking a big step forward in delivering the high-quality products that our customers demand, and this strategic move positions us to meet the supply needs of our automotive customers in the years 2024-2026. This development marks a crucial step towards a sustainable and electrified future for high-performance magnet wire production as Tau scales up to meet the market demand. About Tau Group Tau is a technology company at the core of energy transition, decarbonization of energy and electrification of transport. Its patented technologies reconcile the necessity of sustainable, resource-minimizing manufacturing with the power, reliability and performance that electrification requires to enable smaller, greener, longer-lasting and more powerful motors, transformers and generators. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn

On September 9, 2023, Tau achieved another milestone by obtaining the IATF 16949 Certification, confirming the excellence of our Quality Management System in producing solvent-free magnet wires designed for electrical applications. Tau has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the IATF 16949 certification, which represents the pinnacle of international quality standards within the automotive industry. This certification underscores our unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of performance and quality in magnet wire production, aligning seamlessly with industry benchmarks. It signifies our dedication to a culture of continual enhancement and progress. Developed by the esteemed International Automotive Task Force (IATF), the IATF 16949 certification is not merely a recognition; it is an industry imperative. This certification serves as a global benchmark, unifying automotive quality management systems worldwide. It meticulously outlines the prerequisites for quality systems in the design, development, manufacturing, installation, and servicing of automotive-related products. Key Commitments Tau's pledge to meet the stringent standards of IATF 16949 certification encompasses several key commitments: Elevating Product and Process Quality: At the core of this certification is a commitment to enhance both product and process quality. Preferred Supplier Status: Adhering to IATF 16949 standards solidifies our position as a trusted industry partner. Integration with ISO 9001: The IATF 16949 certification seamlessly aligns with ISO 9001, reinforcing our dedication to comprehensive quality management. This integration ensures that we operate within a robust framework of excellence. "Maintaining our IATF certification sets an exceptional standard for Tau, ensuring consistent, high-quality products and a dedication to exceptional customer service for all our customers, not just in the automotive sector." This certification is not just a recognition of our past achievements; it's a promise for the future. We are steadfast in our commitment to invest in technological advancements, driving innovation and setting new industry standards. About Tau Group Tau is a technology company at the core of energy transition, decarbonization of energy and electrification of transport. Its patented technologies reconcile the necessity of sustainable, resource-minimizing manufacturing with the power, reliability and performance that electrification requires to enable smaller, greener, longer-lasting and more powerful motors, transformers and generators. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn

A new frontier for high performance stators Magnetic wire is a key component in various electronic products such as transformers, inductor coils, electromagnets, electric motors and generators. The latter are particularly important to the automotive industry, and the proper functioning of an electric motor for an electric car depends on the stator. All electric motors consist of a rotating part – the rotor –, a stationary part – the stator –, bearings, and a shaft [1]. A review of several studies about electric motor failures resulted from the experience of manufacturers, repair centers and academic studies shows that the faults distribution percentage in electric motors is approximately 45% in the bearings, 35% in the stator, 10% in the rotor, and the remaining 10% in other components [2]. This implies that one-third of all motor failures are to be attributed to stator failures, the most frequent cause being the breakage of its winding. The winding, comprised of a copper conductor with polymer insulation, is highly susceptible to electrical stresses, and mechanical and thermal loads; therefore, it is the most vulnerable component of the stator. Factors such as cracks, pores, wire oxidation, insulation damage, and permeability to gases and liquids can all diminish the dielectric properties of the polymer coating. [3]. Undoubtedly, the thermal and chemical resistance of the wire is directly contingent on the selection of its insulation material. The most used insulation materials for wires include PI, PEI, PAI, and PPS. Additionally, new high-performance polymers such as PEEK and PFA have been recently introduced. Polyimides, which are applied using classic enameling technology, remain the most popular insulation material on the market due to their ability to provide a uniform coating. However, the primary issue with this technology is the use of highly toxic solvents, such as cresol, which can have adverse effects on both worker health and the environment. Consequently, finding an alternative technology for electric wire production is an urgent task. Nowadays, extrusion represents a promising alternative, as this method offers a wider range of applications. For example, it allows to apply polymers that are not suitable for the conventional enameling technology, such as PEEK, PPS, and PFA. PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) has great potential compared to other materials due to its excellent chemical resistance, which makes it suitable for use in aggressive environments. Moreover, PFA exhibits a higher resistance to partial discharges compared to common materials such as PEEK or PAI. Partial discharge is the main cause of wire insulation failure, which leads to the failure of the entire electric motor. Resistance to partial discharges is a crucial parameter to consider when designing high-voltage motors. Thus, PFA-coated wires have the potential to become a universal stator winding base for high-performance electric motors. However, the widespread use of PFA in magnet wire manufacture is limited by the difficulty of applying it to the wire due to its extremely poor adhesion to the copper surface. In order to overcome this challenge, Tre Tau Engineering developed the patented "DryCycle® technology" (patent EP 3518255B1), which allows most extrusion polymer grades to be applied to wires without the use of solvents, primers, or other copper processing. The DryCycle® process requires minimal polymer application and offers fast application times, making it both economical and environmentally friendly. This article presents the main properties of the resulting PFA wire, thus showing the wide range of possibilities and advantages of using this polymer in electric motor stators. The PFA coating was applied using the commercially available polymer Daikin AP-201. The tests were conducted in accordance with international standards IEC 60851-3, IEC 60851-5, and IEC 61934. In order to fully characterize all the properties of the wire, standard tests for magnetic wire were selected: adhesion, elongation, springback, BDV and PDIV tests. One of the non-standard test methods we used was to make hairpins and compare their electrical properties with those of the unformed samples. These characteristics were chosen to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the properties of the wire. + Adhesion: the ability of the wire to bend and stretch is a function of this factor. This is the major weakness of most fluoropolymer coatings. Tre Tau Engineering has been able to achieve strong adhesion without the need for additional primers or other fixing compounds. + Elongation: this is a measure of the tensile strength and yield strength of the wire and the resistance of the insulation to this kind of stretching. + Springback: an important parameter to create hairpins, it indicates the deflection of the wire when it is bent. + BDV and PDIV: crucial parameters to determine the electrical properties of a wire. BDV indicates the maximum discharge that the wire can withstand, PDIV indicates the inception voltage of partial discharge. Another important parameter in this study is RPDIV (initial voltage of repeated partial discharge). PDIV and RPDIV can be used to simulate the actual operation of the electric motor by predicting the possible moment of stator failure. PFA MAGN E W About Tau Tau is a technology company at the core of energy transition, decarbonization of energy and electrification of transport. Its patented technologies reconcile the necessity of sustainable, resource-minimizing manufacturing with the power, reliability and performance that electrification requires to enable smaller, greener, longer-lasting and more powerful motors, transformers and generators. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn

From efficiency to resilience: Exploring the benefits of TAU's PEEK coated wire Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) belongs to one of the most technologically advanced classes of thermoplastic polymers - polyaryletherketones (PAEK) [1]. PAEK, and especially PEEK, belong to the class of high temperature polymers. PEEK is formed using a stiff aromatic polymer base, contributing to its high temperature and wear resistance compared to other polymers. Thanks to its chemical structure, this polymer combines many advantages. Like most high performance materials, its main disadvantage is its high cost compared to other polymers such as PPS or PAI. As a result, its use is limited to areas where all the high-tech properties are required. The main characteristics of the three most popular high temperature engineering polymers, PEEK, PAI and PPS, and their comparison are shown in table [3]. It shows that PEEK has better thermal stability and can be used in higher temperature applications. The data presented previously refer to the polymer materials themselves. But after they are applied to the wire, their thermal classes of wires are as follows. Based on these values the benefits of PEEK wire are even clearer. To produce a high-quality electric motor, it is essential to use strong, stable stator winding insulation. In fact, the failure rate data for electric motors shows that stator winding damage is the second most common cause of stator failure. According to statistics [4] up to 40% of electric motor failures are due to stator failure. The most common cause of failure is defects in its winding, which consists of polymer-coated copper wire. Therefore, by ensuring reliable wire insulation, it is possible to guarantee the proper functioning of the stator - the heart of the electric car. Another special and important property of PEEK is the peculiarity of its structure. Since PEEK is a semi-crystalline polymer, it is possible to modify its properties by changing its degree of crystallinity. It can be adjusted directly during the coating process, according to technological requirements. The DryCycle® technology (patent EP3518255B1), which allows excellent control of the dynamics of the coating process, can exploit this feature of PEEK to obtain products with the desired properties. In addition, this technology avoids the use of the toxic solvents that are used in the conventional method of enamelling. This makes the process of creating magnetic wires safer and more environmentally friendly. This article presents test data from Tre Tau Engineering's DryCycle® wire made with commercially available PEEK with no fillers. About Tau Tau is a technology company at the core of energy transition, decarbonization of energy and electrification of transport. Its patented technologies reconcile the necessity of sustainable, resource-minimizing manufacturing with the power, reliability and performance that electrification requires to enable smaller, greener, longer-lasting and more powerful motors, transformers and generators. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn

The round, led by Solvay Ventures, is joined by existing investors including Finindus and happens in parallel with Tau Group’s commercial breakthrough with automotive customers Turin, Berlin, 1 February 2023 – Technology company Tau has concluded a series-B round raising €9 million with Solvay Ventures as a lead investor. Solvay Ventures is joined by existing shareholders including Finindus, a Belgium-based joint venture of ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region, as well as management and private individuals. Tau has established itself as an innovative supplier to the automotive industry by setting a new global standard in winding wire for e-mobility. Its wire addresses the industry’s demand for the next generation of electric motors with a reduced carbon footprint, using less resources and improving the electric vehicles’ efficiency, range and recharge time, notably through superior resistance to partial discharge and accommodating voltages of 800V and higher. Recently, Tau reached an important commercial milestone when its wire products completed diligent validation processes of several automotive OEM and Tier 1 suppliers in Europe, Asia and North America. The company is currently ramping up capacity, providing early adopters with immediate competitive advantages, and is preparing industrial scale carbon-neutral winding wire production in Italy with the goal to start worldwide deliveries by 2024. “Through the use of specialty polymers, Tau’s innovative technology enables higher performance electric motors, key to the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles”, says Peter Vanlaeke, Partner at Solvay Ventures. “We are delighted to add Solvay Ventures as one of our key investors as we move into this new phase for our business. Strengthening the ties between the different parts of the value chain is critical to help accelerate solutions like Tau’s winding wire and the impact it will have on the energy transition”, says Francesco Taiariol, CEO and co-founder of Tau. “Since our initial investment mid 2021 we have seen excellent progress of this leading-edge technology towards full scale industrial manufacturing and market acceptance by world renowned automotive players. We are thrilled to have Solvay Ventures on board - adding more insights - to strengthen our network and to complement the existing core investors”, says Hans Maenhout, investment director of Finindus. About Tau Group Tau is a technology company at the core of energy transition, decarbonization of energy and electrification of transport. Its patented technologies reconcile the necessity of sustainable, resource-minimizing manufacturing with the power, reliability and performance that electrification requires to enable smaller, greener, longer-lasting and more powerful motors, transformers and generators. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn About Solvay Ventures Solvay Ventures is the Venture Capital fund of Solvay. Solvay Ventures invests in breakthrough technologies in advanced materials, devices and business model innovation. Operating since 2005, Solvay Ventures is currently investing out of a €80 million global evergreen fund. Solvay Ventures targets early stage investment opportunities (Seed through Series B) with a focus on startups addressing better use of resources, energy transition, increased well-being, and digital age. Beyond capital, Solvay Ventures looks to leverage the resources at Solvay to help accelerate technology and market adoption. Visit www.solvay.com/en/innovation/solvay-ventures or follow Solvay on LinkedIn About Finindus Finindus is a Belgium-based investment company funded by ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region and is linked to OCAS, a world class metal research centre with campuses in Zelzate and Zwijnaarde (Belgium). Finindus provides early stage and growth financing (both equity and debt) to innovative technology companies active in the field of materials (including material processing), sustainable manufacturing and industry 4.0. Finindus invests across Europe, with Flanders as a home base and sweet spot, and across the globe for investment opportunities in technologies at the centre of our core domains and in line with the strategic interests and areas of expertise of our shareholders. Visit www.finindus.be or follow Finindus on LinkedIn

Insight and control into the coating process for electrical steel in e-mobility and renewable energy electric machines Turin, Italy - 5 April 2019 - Users of Voltatex® insulating materials from Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, can now exclusively have access to the newly-developed LILIT® (Light In-Line Insulation Test) to monitor and document the drying consistency of the coatings produced. LILIT is a product of Italian technology company TAU Industrial Robotics. It provides reliable and accurate test methodology of functional polymers, such as those used as synthetic resins in coatings. The test ensures the coatings maximise their full quality potential at the optimum degree of polymerisation. High-performance technical machines such as electrical motors require accurate and comprehensive quality control of the ideal curing of insulating materials during the manufacturing process. Modern composite technologies including self-bonding processes for the production of electric motors for e-mobility are particularly sensitive. These require superlative quality control in order to pass the high demands on reliability and cost efficiency. Before the development of LILIT, polymerisation processes could not be monitored and documented adequately. A non-contact, non-destructive in-line test method for coil coating - as standard in the electrical steel coating process - was not technically feasible. Christoph Lomoschitz, Global Product Manager for Axalta’s Energy Solutions business, says, "We can now do away with time-consuming quality checks at the beginning and at the end of the coated coil process. These didn't bring much information about the degree of polymerisation because of local fluctuations in drying conditions across the entire coated coil. So by bringing TAU’s LI LIT technology to our customers, we are making their quality control much better and more efficient, as well as improving process accuracy and overall electrical steel quality." Filippo Veglia, Chief Commercial Officer TAU Industrial Robotics, says, "We are committed to bringing higher performance, improved sustainability, and meaningful insight to the core functions of e-mobility and renewable energy. We are thrilled to work with Axalta to bring real-time, non-contact, in-line quality control of curing processes to the electrical steel industry." Axalta is exhibiting the full range of its Energy Solutions products at the Coil Winding Expo (CWIEME) in Berlin, Germany, from 21 to 23 May 2019 on stand A19, Hall 3.2. Visitors will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of the new LILIT technology and discuss with TAU on stand. For more information about TAU Industrial Robotics, please visit http://tauindustrialrobotics.com. For more information about all Axalta’s Energy Solutions products, please visit www.electricalinformation.com. About TAU Industrial Robotics TAU brings unparalleled performance, sustainability and reliability to the core of each electric motor. Focused on applications for e-mobility, automotive, energy and agriculture, TAU makes coatings more durable, resistant and light, optimizes underlying production processes for environmental friendliness, pairs artificial intelligence with peace-of-mind operating simplicity and incubates technologies in electrification and smart sensors. For more information visit tauindustrialrobotics.com and follow us on Twitter and on Linkedln About Axalta Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colourful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the 14,000 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and follow us (cpAxalta on Twitter and on Linkedln.

TAU and Axalta at the literal core of e-mobility: electrical steel To perfect the curing and subsequent bonding of the magnetic steel core of electric motors and optimize process efficiency, Axalta partners its Voltatex® self-bonding enamels with Tau Industrial Robotics’ LILIT® in-line, real-time curing process control. How the lack of insight scares steel mills and punchers alike For greater sustainability, industries such as e-mobility and renewable energy are advancing the development of higher performing, lighter and more reliable motors. The optimization of the magnetic steel core of electric motors plays a crucial role in these efforts. Steel mills, punchers and motor producers require superior quality of electrical insulation to minimize so-called iron losses in the electric motor and thus guarantee its higher output power and energy efficiency. Precise control of the curing level is therefore essential but has so far been impossible. Let's have a look at the reality of two protagonists in the production of electrical steel: Frank, a steel mill operator, and Michael, a punching line operator. Frank’s day-to-day work is to ensure his team fully masters the compliance of what they produce, steel coil coated with pre-cured bonding enamels, with the quality requirements provided by his downstream customer, Michael. Michael, in turn, punches specific shapes out of the coil and stacks them using enamels to build the electric core of the motor that matches the requirements of the electric motor producers, his ultimate customers. Every day, Frank’s line produces electrical steel coils at over 70m/min. A few times each day, Frank has a small sample cut from the production and taken to the laboratory to test the curing of the applied self-bonding paint. Testing then takes a few hours, during which Frank worries about that day’s production quality. Usually it is all good and he can end his shift relieved and happily send the pre-cured coils to Michael. But then every once in a while, it is not. Then all production of the day must be assumed to be of insufficient quality and must be discarded; and Frank gets the blame for the amount of scrap and wasted resources – imagine that the length of an electric steel coil may easily exceed 10 km! Usually all goes well though, and the steel coil arrives at Michael’s punching process. Frank sent him all the specs with the compliance report – so far so good. Michael adjusts his line to these specs and now punches the desired shapes from the coil. To build the magnetic core of the motor, the punched shapes are stacked one over the other like a layered cake (where the cream is the insulating varnish) and baked in a curing oven. But today, when he tests one of the cores they produce, Michael realizes that it doesn’t have the required strength. The bonding hasn’t really worked – the curing level of at least some parts of the incoming coil must have been different to what Frank’s specs said. As a result, the magnetic cores are under or over-cured and will not comply with the specifications of the motor producer. When an upset Michael then gets on the phone with Frank to complain about the curing defects, an embarrassed Frank replies “Look, Michael, I really tested as often as I could in the laboratory and you know it is usually all fine – I wish I could test 100% of our production, but I just don’t know how!” Axalta and TAU partner up to get the most out of electrical steel coating Axalta’s self-bonding paint is actually a brilliant concept: Voltatex®, this new, one-component, self-bonding varnish, allows the creation of a seamless magnetic core without any defects to the lamination stacks. Since the self-bonded magnetic core is more rigid and mechanically firmer, it provides better heat dissipation, prevents the generation of harmful eddy currents – localized electric currents that damage the efficiency of the iron core – and eliminates humming noise, which happens when steel laminations are poorly joined. So far so good. The tricky issue is that the correct curing window for the self-bonded core sheet has very limited tolerances: an under-cured varnish can be squeezed out of the stacking, while the over-cured varnish might no longer bond the laminations. An optimized, uniform curing level and process control is thus paramount. LILIT® now delivers just that: a peace-of-mind curing control in real-time, in-line and non-destructive – at the steel mill and at the punching line. It uses ordinary spectroscopy but jacked up with industry 4.0 artificial intelligence data analysis to identify relevant inconsistencies and defects of the coating. This allows Frank and Michael to set correctly or adjust their production parameters according to the target product specifications. It minimizes the possibility of poorly cured self-bonding composites and provides accurate insight (more than 95 percent) into the electrical steel coil coating. No more time-consuming and destructive laboratory tests. And thanks to Axalta and Tau, Frank, Michael and the electric motor producer are happy with the motor cores of bonded stacks made out of steel coil. Shedding light on curing of self-bonding paint – making it work Every steel mill and every puncher have their individual process requirements for the core sheet manufacturing, stacking and laminations. So tailoring is key. It consists of three steps: installation, calibration and education. For installation, TAU engineers come on-site to work hand-in-hand with the plant’s process operators. After evaluating the premises and addressing the real operational and environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, luminosity), they indicate the right positioning for LILIT® and propose an optimal architecture of the process. The installation is then easily done by TAU within days depending on the number of control channels the user wants to run simultaneously. Electrical and network connections are provided by the plant operators. The LILIT® itself is just the size of a larger shoebox. “Simplicity aligned with performance are the key aspects of how we try to upgrade the existing test reality. Our intention was to bring to life an automated process assessment and reporting tool with artificial intelligence capabilities that could continuously analyze operational data of curing to provide a concrete action for the electrical steel value chain – contributing to peace-of-mind of operators”, says Piero Degasperi, TAU’s CTO. LILIT® relies on contactless spectrometric analysis to detect fluctuations in the curing level of self-bonding varnishes. The position of the probe must be as precise as possible. TAU work on-site until such precise calibration is complete and the probe firmly attached with the supporting holder. Nominal production parameters like core sheet speed, oven temperature and ventilation for the selected Axalta Voltatex® varnish are set up by the user. TAU engineer selects this signal as a reference spectrum. The acquired spectrum of one line can later be used for further channels in case of multi-channels installations. The education step is the speed-run: LILIT® is taught how to define whether the polymeric surface is undercured, overcured or just properly cured. This is done in close collaboration with the user’s quality department. From a range of curing samples for each type of Voltatex®, LILIT® can learn the qualitative difference between good and bad curing level of the core sheet. The system is now fully operational and able to identify relevant coating inconsistencies and repetitive defects in real time. Any minimal variation from the target characteristics will be recognized in less than 15 seconds and result in a call for corrective action by the user. Incoming quality values are continuously correlated through the AI engine – and all this without any physical interference or damage caused while testing. LILIT® is capable of quality tracking on both fixed and moving surfaces assessing coating uniformity across the entire coil. Immediate feedback reduces start-up time e.g. after varnish changes or coil changes. Crucially, operators can use cloud-based remote access to get comprehensive, real-time insight into their production flow within selected period of time and have access to it anytime and anywhere! Its operating software is aimed at simplifying production process management and quality control by providing ongoing but lightweight feedback on curing characterization. It generates values online and creates visualized data reporting that can be automatically clustered, backed up and filed. Once operational, the system’s ongoing machine learning based on the operational data assists the steel mill or the puncher to improve curing processes and eventually allows predictive suggestions for production adjustments, coil changing, maintenance activities or general planning. “Our joint industry innovation efforts for electric mobility and renewable energy are aimed at delivering higher quality motors with reduced resource consumption and higher productivity, moving from traditional to a sustainable and smarter manufacturing. To simplify the work life of operators is at the core of what we do”, say Axalta’s Global Manager Electrical Steel Coatings Andreas Vendler and Tau’s CCO Filippo Veglia.

Electric mobility and advanced materials venture to accelerate product development and strengthen team Turin/Berlin/Wesel, March 4, 2020 – Turin-based e-mobility and advanced materials venture Tau has secured a €4.5m series A equity investment by the corporate venture arm of ALTANA Group, the German specialty chemicals company. The visit of Tau R&D site in Turin in July, 2019 “We are excited about welcoming ALTANA Group as an additional investor who shares our vision for the core of e-mobility by achieving the transition of wire coating towards a sustainable process and by delivering disruptive change in form of next generation technologies and high-performance materials”, says Dr Daniel Rutz, Chief Development Officer of Tau. Tau’s proprietary DryCycle® and LILIT® technologies meet the demands of electrical automotive engineering for ever smaller, lighter and yet more powerful and reliable electric motors. DryCycle technology offers higher performance, greater sustainability and stronger reliability in wire enamelling. By using only solvent-free polymers, DryCycle reduces the production of harmful VOC during the coating process and lowers carbon dioxide emissions. “We at Tau believe in bringing peace-of-mind to different stakeholders in electric mobility”, explains Francesco Taiariol, Tau’s CEO and co-founder. “To the rapidly changing electric vehicles producers, we bring the electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance that they demand. Think of high voltage, SiC powered, partial discharge and high filling factor for electric drive trains. To production process operators, we bring simplicity, flexibility in terms of rectangular, square or round geometries, state-of-the-art controls, the elimination of harmful substances and the reduction of scrap that they crave for. And to our children, we bring a minimized carbon footprint, a generally sustainable use of resources and an overall contribution to the change that we all think is necessary.” ALTANA’s division ELANTAS, a global market leader in the field of enamels, will help accelerate Tau’s product development and contribute their knowledge and experience in the synthesis and analysis of polymers used as electrical insulation materials. “Tau’s technological solutions are spot-on with the increasing demand by electric mobility for higher performance wire, and we are excited to work with them. The investment reflects our continuous desire to be at the forefront of innovation and to embrace change towards sustainability. Our collaboration with Tau will contribute to our ability to assist our customers’ transition to greener and more efficient processes”, says Volker Mansfeld, Head of Business Development of ALTANA AG. The series A financing builds upon Tau’s rapidly growing momentum with product development and with automotive and energy OEM & tier 1 suppliers. As part of the transaction, ALTANA AG invests up to €4.5 million for a minority stake and a board seat, and its division ELANTAS enters a joint development agreement with the venture. About Tau Tau brings unparalleled performance, sustainability & reliability to the core of electric motors. Focused on applications for automotive, energy and agriculture, Tau makes protective coatings for copper, aluminium and steel wire more durable, resistant and light, optimizes underlying production processes for environmental friendliness, pairs artificial intelligence with peace-of-mind operating simplicity, and incubates exciting technologies such as in smart sensors. Tau has some 35 employees across offices in Turin (Italy) & Berlin (Germany). For more information, visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn. About ALTANA ALTANA is a global leader in true specialty chemicals. The Group offers innovative, environmentally compatible solutions for coating manufacturers, paint & plastics processors, the printing & packaging industries, the cosmetics sector and the electrical & electronics industry. The product range includes additives, special coatings and adhesives, effect pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins & varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. ALTANA's four divisions, BYK, ECKART, ELANTAS, and ACTEGA, all occupy leading market positions with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation and service. Headquartered in Wesel, Germany, the ALTANA Group has about 6,400 people, 47 production facilities and 60 service and research laboratories worldwide. In 2018, ALTANA achieved sales of €2.3 billion, about 7 percent of which are invested in research and development every year. Its high earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the most innovative, fastest growing, and profitable chemical companies in the world. www.altana.com

OEM and Tier 1 to use Tau’s carbon-conscious high-performance wire in electric motor development Turin/Berlin, 22 July 2021 – Coinciding with the milestone of delivering prototype winding wire to the automotive industry, Tau concluded its financing round with additional funding from Finindus, a Belgium-based investment company financed by ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region, and a top-up by German specialty chemicals company ALTANA. Tau develops high-performance wire that combines minimized partial discharge, high filling factors, greater temperature resistance, high-voltage and frequency optimization. This enables global producers of electric motors, cars, buses, trucks and aircraft to double the power output of future traction motors while keeping their size. “Years of research have allowed us to be developing coated metal wires and sustainable manufacturing technologies with a radically reduced environmental footprint. Our fast-growing team of electrical, chemical, quality and mechanical engineers relentlessly optimizes our processes with exciting new polymers and data analytics from production to achieve our goal to set the new global standard for wire coating”, says Piero Degasperi, Tau’s CTO and co-founder. Tau’s DryCycle® solvent-free process eliminates emissions of harmful volatile organic compounds and greenhouse gases, and minimizes the use of resources, energy consumption and waste. LILIT® controls the insulation quality of winding wire and electrical steel. “Enabling transformational change essential to decarbonize energy requires a sustainable mindset for all our stakeholders: employees and their families, customers, suppliers, investors and nature. For Tau this means creating solutions for the electrification of transport and industry as well as embracing environmental responsibility, ethical leadership, personal growth and continuous learning”, explains Daniel Rutz, CDO of Tau. Finindus joins the existing investor group including ALTANA, the leading sovereign wealth funds of the Middle East and other individual and financial investors. “Tau’s dry coating technology offers the ability to apply coating systems of diverse chemistries in an environmentally friendly way on metal wires with advanced geometries. This has the potential to unlock significant performance for electric motors especially in e-mobility applications”, confirms Hans Maenhout, Investment Director at Finindus. About Tau Tau is a technology and sustainable manufacturing company at the core of the electrification of transport and decarbonization of energy. Its research, development, incubation and patented technologies pair environmental responsibility with superior performance and peace-of-mind operating simplicity. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Tau has offices in Turin (Italy) & Berlin (Germany). Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Finindus Finindus is a Belgium based investment company funded by ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region and is linked to OCAS, a world class metal research centre with campuses in Zelzate and Zwijnaarde (Belgium). Finindus provides early stage and growth financing to innovative technology companies active in the field of materials (including material processing), sustainable manufacturing and industry 4.0. Finindus invests across Europe, with Flanders as a home base and sweet spot, and across the globe for investment opportunities in technologies at the centre of our core domains and in line with the strategic interests and areas of expertise of our shareholders. www.finindus.be

On February 22-24, Tau took part in the 9th Advanced E-Motor Technology Conference in Berlin to discuss the emerging electric motor technologies and the global trends in e-mobility industry. The market for electric vehicles continues to grow. What’s missing are the next generation technologies to advance electric driving. One of the most awaited topics of the conference covered some of the relevant strategies for future electrical motors and possible innovations through higher operating voltage in powertrains, improved resistance and power efficiency. It was said that shifting towards 800-1600 Volt motors could be the breakthrough that would finally allow electric vehicles to be charged faster and go further on one charge. Expectations are also changing in terms of the physical aspects of electric motors and their components. There is now greater importance placed on reduced weight and design optimization including insulations and use of alternative materials. “I was very happy to be a part of a network that is changing mobility and glad to ascertain the strong positioning of Tau’s customer value proposition. In the end I would like to thank IQPC for the flawless organization and the opportunity to finally meet peers in person after two years of pandemic limitations”, says Filippo Veglia, co-founder and CSO of Tau. In addition, Tau’s high-performance magnet wire for transport electrification has attracted great interest from different players including OEMs, Tier1 and Tier2 companies during the networking sessions. The dielectric performances way above any competing wire and the highest thermal class in the market make Tau’s wire the perfect fit for e-mobility. This, in fact, helps reducing the size of motors along with optimizing their efficiency. Smaller and lighter motors will allow to have additional space for batteries. Mr. Veglia said that Tau will continue the discussion on potential cooperation and supply of its magnet wire to become the de facto standard in winding industry. About Tau Tau is a technology and sustainable manufacturing company at the core of the electrification of transport and decarbonization of energy. Its research, development and incubation have resulted in patented technologies that pair environmental responsibility with superior performance and peace-of-mind operating simplicity. Tau focuses on carbon-conscious protective coatings for high-performance and standard copper, aluminium and steel wires. Tau has offices in Turin (Italy) & Berlin (Germany). Visit www.tau.group or follow Tau on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Automotive IQ Automotive IQ is a web-based global community of industry professionals, automotive experts and senior decision makers. Our exclusive insights, news and trend spotting is shared to our members through presentations, articles, webinars, reports and more, enabling solution providers to demonstrate year-round thought leadership in specific automotive areas in a cost- and time-effective way. For more information visit www.automotive-iq.com/