# Saurabh Ullal

> Saurabh Ullal is the CEO of 6K, an advanced materials company in North Andover, Massachusetts that uses a microwave-plasma process called UniMelt to make battery cathode powders and metal powders for additive manufacturing. A chemical engineer by training with a PhD from UC Santa Barbara, he joined 6K as COO and stepped into the CEO role in September 2024 alongside an $82M Series E close, tasked with scaling a technology invented at MIT into industrial tonnage.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at 6K Inc.
- **Organizations:** 6K Inc., ARC Energy, Lam Research
- **Education:** PhD, Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, B.Chem.Eng., Chemical Engineering, Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT)
- **Known for:** Named CEO of 6K in September 2024., Oversaw operations as COO during 6K's scale-up of UniMelt microwave plasma technology., Closed initial $82M tranche of Series E funding coinciding with CEO transition.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, University of Mumbai / UICT.
- **2002** — PhD in Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara.
- **2000s-2010s** — Engineering and applications leadership at Lam Research serving semiconductor foundry customers.
- **2010s** — Led sapphire crystal growth process and equipment improvements at ARC Energy.
- **pre-2024** — Joined 6K as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing manufacturing operations across battery materials and additive manufacturing divisions.
- **2024-09** — Named CEO of 6K, replacing Dr. Aaron Bent, alongside the close of a $82M Series E.
- **2025** — 6K profiled by MIT News for its microwave-plasma approach to critical mineral production; Tennessee battery materials facility under construction.

## Achievements

- Named CEO of 6K in September 2024.
- Oversaw operations as COO during 6K's scale-up of UniMelt microwave plasma technology.
- Closed initial $82M tranche of Series E funding coinciding with CEO transition.
- Guiding buildout of Tennessee battery materials facility targeted at 13,000 tons per year.

## Latest updates

- **2024-09** — Named CEO of 6K Inc., replacing Aaron Bent, alongside close of $82M Series E funding.
- **2025-02** — 6K profiled by MIT News on cleaning up critical mineral production using microwave plasma.

## Links

- Website: https://6kinc.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/saurabh-ullal-35256a2
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/6kinc

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/saurabh-ullal
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-08