BASF has partnered with Nanotech Energy, a leader in graphene-based energy storage field, to significantly reduce the CO₂ footprint of Nanotech’s lithium-ion batteries for the North American market. The agreement aims to close the loop for lithium-ion batteries in North America. In detail, BASF will produce cathode active materials from recycled metals in Battle Creek, Michigan for usage in lithium-ion battery cells produced by Nanotech. Feeding recycled metals into the production of new lithium-ion batteries reduces the CO₂ impact of batteries by about 25 percent compared to using primary metals from mines.

Additionally, both companies will partner with American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) and TODA Advanced Materials Inc. (TODA). ABTC is a lithium-ion battery recycling company in Reno, Nevada. Meanwhile, TODA is an experienced manufacturer specializing in pCAM or precursor for Cathode Active Material and metal hydroxide material located in Ontario, Canada. Specifically, the group will establish a localized battery value chain for the North American consumer electronics and automotive industries.

Along that chain, battery scrap and off-spec material from Nanotech’s pilot operation in Chico, California, as well as from its planned commercial facility will be recycled by ABTC. Subsequently, the battery-grade metals recovered by ABTC – such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium – will be used by TODA and BASF to produce new precursors and cathode active materials, respectively. Then, Nanotech will use these materials again in its battery cell production – overall, a truly circular economy in North America.

Recently, BASF announced battery recycling capacity in Europe. Today, it provides recycling services and cathode active material based on recycled metals as a closed-loop solution in Asia for years.

Daniel Schönfelder, Senior Vice President, Battery Base Metals and Recycling at BASF, summarized: “Our partnership with Nanotech, ABTC, and TODA marks an important step for BASF’s global battery recycling business. Now, we are establishing the first closed-loop system in North America. This enables BASF and Nanotech to produce lithium-ion batteries with locally recycled content.”

Curtis Collar, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Nanotech Energy, said, “By working together, our four companies can pool their expertise and drive better and more sustainable outcomes for the entire North American electric vehicle and consumer electronics industries. This is a major milestone among the ongoing advances and growth of the lithium-ion battery market. We are proud to be playing such a key role in the reduction of CO₂ emissions along the battery value chain.”