• ABB Drive Products invests in Molg to advance the development of next-generation circular and resource-efficient products
• The collaboration will enhance drive manufacturing processes using robotic Microfactories to refine testing and assembly

ABB Motion Ventures has strategically invested in Molg, a Virginia-based circular manufacturing startup, to improve the design and reusability of ABB drives. This partnership aims to streamline manufacturing by utilizing Molg’s expertise in robotic Microfactories, optimizing assembly and testing while enhancing circularity and resource efficiency.

The relationship between ABB and Molg began in 2023 when Molg won the ABB Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge. Following a successful proof of concept in drive assembly using Molg’s robotics-based Microfactories, ABB Drive Products has deepened its commitment with this latest investment, driving the partnership into a new phase of development.

A key factor in ABB’s decision to invest in Molg is the company’s strong focus on circularity. ABB aims to implement a fully circular life cycle for 80% of its products by 2030. Molg’s Microfactories will contribute to this goal by automating the assembly and testing of configured-to-order drives, improving efficiency and reducing waste. This investment solidifies ABB’s position as a leader in circular economy initiatives by promoting reuse, repurposing, and recycling of components. In October 2024, ABB Robotics & Automation Ventures participated in Molg’s seed funding round to expand production capacity and combat e-waste through robotics and design.

This initiative aligns with ABB’s broader strategy, including its recent $100 million investment in a campus in New Berlin, Wisconsin. The approach supports local sourcing and in-country manufacturing, minimizing environmental impact while strengthening the supply chain and supporting regional businesses.

“Our investment in Molg allows us to be part of an innovative ecosystem dedicated to product circularity,” stated Tuomo Hoysniemi, President of ABB Drive Products Division. “By focusing on recycling and reusing components in our drives portfolio, we are advancing our circularity objectives. Additionally, Molg’s Microfactories perfectly complement our customizable product range, helping us meet evolving market demands while conserving valuable resources.”

Rob Lawson-Shanks, CEO & Co-Founder of Molg, added, “Winning ABB’s Accelerating Circularity Startup Challenge was a major milestone for us, and we are excited to extend our collaboration with ABB Drive Products. Together, we aim to develop circular products and manufacturing processes that enhance supply chain resilience and keep valuable materials in use.”

Financial terms of the investment remain undisclosed.

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ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, is committed to a sustainable and resource-efficient future. By integrating engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries enhance performance while improving efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. With over 140 years of innovation and a workforce of approximately 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB’s shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).

ABB Motion Ventures, the venture capital division of ABB Motion, invests in breakthrough technology companies aligned with ABB’s mission to shape the future of industrial electrification and automation. Since its inception in 2009, ABB Ventures has invested around $500 million in startups spanning robotics, industrial IoT, AI/machine learning, energy transition, cybersecurity, electric mobility, smart buildings, and distributed energy sectors.

Molg addresses the rising challenge of e-waste by pioneering circular manufacturing. Its robotic Microfactories autonomously disassemble complex electronic devices, such as laptops and servers, ensuring valuable components remain within the supply chain rather than becoming waste. Partnering with leading electronics manufacturers, Molg designs next-generation products with reusability at the core, creating a sustainable cycle where one product’s end sparks the beginning of another.

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