Koura

Orbia’s Fluor & Energy Materials business, formerly known as Koura, is a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and supplying fluoroproducts. Backed by over 35 years of experience, the company's products are integral to a wide range of applications that support sustainability and the circular economy. The company's history includes previous identities such as ICI, Ineos, and Mexichem Fluor before rebranding to Koura in September 2019 and subsequently to Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials. In June 2025, the business announced it would phase out the Koura brand to operate solely as Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, aiming to simplify its brand architecture and strengthen its affiliation with its parent company, Orbia.

The company operates a vertically integrated 'mine-to-market' model, controlling one of the world's largest fluorspar mines, which accounts for over 18% of the global supply. This integration ensures a secure supply chain for its international clients. The business model focuses on two main segments: Upstream operations for products like acidspar and hydrofluoric acid, and Downstream operations for specialized products. Key product brands include Klea® for refrigerants and Zephex® for medical propellants used in approximately 75% of the world's metered-dose inhalers for treating respiratory conditions.

A significant area of focus is the energy transition, particularly materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The company is developing advanced fluorinated materials, such as electrolyte salts (LiPF6), additives, and binders, to improve battery performance, safety, and cost. In October 2022, Koura received a $100 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy to build the first U.S. manufacturing plant for LiPF6 in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, capable of supporting the production of over one million EVs annually. This initiative is part of a larger investment to onshore the EV battery supply chain. In November 2021, the company acquired Silatronix, a battery technology startup, to enhance its capabilities in energy storage.

Sustainability is central to the company's strategy. It is developing low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants and medical propellants, such as Zephex® 152a, which reduces the carbon footprint of inhalers by over 90%. Its Klea® Edge™ portfolio is designed to offer refrigerants with a GWP of less than 150. Serving 60 countries with 1,600 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities, Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials is a key supplier to the automotive, construction, medical, and energy sectors.

Keywords: fluoroproducts, energy materials, battery technology, refrigerants, medical propellants, fluorspar mining, lithium-ion batteries, sustainable chemicals, EV supply chain, circular economy