Ares Commercial Finance (ACF) and Platinum Credit Opportunities Fund (PCOF) announced that they are providing financing to support Kingswood Capital Management’s acquisition of Daramic, LLC, a Charlotte‑based supplier of high‑performance polyethylene and phenolic resin‑based battery separators for the lead‑battery industry. The financing arrangement, disclosed on April 27 2026, underscores ACF’s role as a key credit partner for middle‑market deals and highlights its strategy of backing strategic acquisitions within the industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Daramic operates seven manufacturing facilities and seven sales offices worldwide, a footprint that positions it as a global leader in battery separator technology. The company has been in business for over 90 years and continues to supply separators that are critical to the lead‑acid battery supply chain, a market that is projected to grow to between $37.98 billion and $54.71 billion by 2034, driven by demand from electric vehicles, consumer electronics and energy storage. The financing is a major capital injection that will allow Daramic to pursue growth initiatives and maintain its competitive edge in a rapidly expanding market.
Ares’ AUM stood at nearly $623 billion as of December 31 2025, reflecting the firm’s broad exposure across credit, real assets, private equity and secondaries. Ares’ recent strategic acquisitions, such as GCP International, and its focus on flexible capital solutions, reinforce its position as a leading alternative investment manager. The partnership with Platinum Equity’s credit team further demonstrates Ares’ commitment to providing tailored financing solutions to sponsors and portfolio companies.
"This financing highlights our ability to support strong businesses with thoughtful capital solutions, even in a dynamic market. Our approach combines industry insight with hands‑on resources and experience that we believe deliver meaningful value to borrowers and their sponsors," said Jacob Kotzubei and Louis Samson, co‑presidents of Platinum Equity. "We approach every investment with a long‑term, partnership‑oriented mindset. We believe Daramic is a great fit and exemplifies the type of business where our credit platform can be highly additive," added Michael Fabiano, Managing Director and Global Head of Credit at Platinum Equity.
"This investment underscores our commitment to collaborating with leading sponsors and high‑quality businesses, as well as our ability to provide flexible capital solutions to support long‑term growth. We look forward to continuing our work with KCM and Daramic's management team at a pivotal time in the Company's evolution," said George Couladis, Managing Director of Ares Commercial Finance. "We are excited to work with Platinum and Ares, whose deep industrials experience makes them well positioned to support Daramic's strategic initiatives and long‑term value creation as a standalone company," added Andrew Kovach, Partner at Kingswood Capital Management.
The financing is a new, material event for Ares, marking a direct financing activity that was announced on April 27 2026 and has not been previously reported in the company’s own releases. While the deal value and specific financing terms were not disclosed, the transaction demonstrates Ares’ continued engagement in providing flexible capital solutions to sponsors and portfolio companies, supporting growth and value creation in the battery‑materials supply chain.
The content on EveryTicker is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.