BASF secures customer for cathode materials from Schwarzheide

In addition to the recently concluded framework agreement with CATL, BASF has secured another customer for its cathode materials (CAM). BASF has not yet disclosed the name of the customer. However, the agreement concerns deliveries from the chemical company's CAM production plant in Schwarzheide.

BASF says it has extended an existing supply deal for cathode materials (CAM) with its partner; however did not specify how many years the supply deal has been extended for. Dr Daniel Schönfelder, head of BASF’s Battery Materials division, says in a more general way: “With this strengthened customer setup for our European CAM operations, we feel well positioned for the future.” The plant in Schwarzheide is not only the only production facility for high-performance cathode materials in Germany, but also the only fully automated large-scale plant for cathode materials in Europe.

Just over a month ago, BASF announced another framework supply deal, and in this case, it revealed names: China’s battery giant CATL is relying on BASF’s CAM material and says it also wants to develop cathode active materials with the German company. The collaboration is to take place worldwide. Further details have not yet been disclosed.

BASF and CATL had already announced a strategic partnership in the field of battery material solutions in 2021. At the time, the focus was primarily on the CATL plant near Erfurt, which was still under construction at the time and is now in operation. However, the new framework agreement is now much broader in scope and has a global dimension: “CATL has selected BASF as its important supplier. BASF will support CATL’s global layout through its global production network,” BASF said in a brief statement at the end of July. However, no details were given about delivery quantities, chemical composition, duration or financial scope of the deal. It is also unclear which markets and which BASF plants will be involved.

Within the BASF Group, the Battery Materials division specialises in cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries and describes itself as the global leader. BASF prides itself on providing cell manufacturers and OEMs with solutions tailored to their needs. In addition to producing and supplying materials, the BASF division also offers solutions for battery recycling.

basf.com

This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.