CATL, BASF sign battery materials agreement

The Catalyst Division of BASF and China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) have announced a partnership involving battery materials, including cathode active materials (CAM) and battery recycling. The companies say they want to develop “a sustainable battery value chain” in Europe and that “contributes to achieving both companies’ global carbon neutrality goals.”

A key aspect of the partnership will involve developing a localized battery recycling network and a secure raw material supply chain in the region, say the companies.

CATL says it also is building its first European factory in Germany “to localize lithium-ion battery production.” The agreement with BASF, it says, will help accelerate the development of a local supply chain for European customers and consumers.

BASF describes itself as the largest chemical supplier to the automotive industry and the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector, saying it offers “a broad portfolio of mid- to high-nickel, manganese-rich, cobalt-free CAM.”

“The partnership with BASF is another important step for our localization journey in Europe,” says Zhou Jia, president of CATL. “With CATL’s innovative battery technology and BASF’s deep materials expertise, we will further enhance our capability to support our worldwide customers and accelerate the global drive towards carbon neutrality.”

“The transformation toward electromobility requires strong partnerships along the value chain,” comments Dr. Markus Kamieth, a member of BASF’s board of executive directors. “Pairing BASF’s strong position as a leading supplier for cathode active materials with CATL’s expertise in lithium-ion batteries will speed up innovation and the formation of a sustainable battery value chain worldwide.”