BASF SE and SVOLT Energy have agreed to work together including their global operations on cathode active materials (CAM) development. The partnership will also cover raw materials supply and battery recycling for SVOLT’s battery cells.

The cooperation will also enhance research and development (R&D) capabilities in sustainable battery materials. This will aim to position the two companies to build their core competitiveness globally, particularly in China, the largest battery market in the world.

Furthermore, it will also support China’s carbon reduction target and accelerate global progress towards carbon neutrality. Both companies will also assess joint upstream resourcing to strengthen the security of raw material supply.

Taps Each Other’s Strengths

“The strategic partnership with SVOLT will further enhance our strong position in the fast-growing battery materials market,” said Dr. Peter Schuhmacher, President, Catalysts Division, at BASF. “As a globally leading battery materials supplier, BASF is in a position to deliver tailored high-performance cathode active materials for SVOLT’s leading cell technology.”

Yang Hongxin, Chairman and CEO of SVOLT, said, “The strategic cooperation with BASF is an important part of SVOLT’s global supply chain. This will help us to complement each other’s strengths along the battery supply chain. It will also accelerate innovation capabilities in CAM R&D. It will also continuously promote portfolio innovation and core competitiveness for EV batteries.”

As a chemical supplier to the automotive industry, BASF has established a strong position in the CAM market including a global manufacturing and R&D footprint. It also has a broad portfolio of mid- to high-nickel, manganese-rich, cobalt-free CAM.

In Europe, BASF is introducing CAM production with an industry-leading carbon footprint through its advanced process technology. It also has a secured local raw materials supply chain, a favorable energy mix for production, as well as short and effective logistics.

BASF is continuously working closely with partners to accelerate innovation and form a sustainable battery value chain worldwide.

SVOLT has seven R&D centers in Wuxi, Baoding, Shanghai, and Shenzhen in China as well as in Japan, Korea, and India. It has unique high-speed stacking technology, high-safety cobalt-free batteries, solid-state batteries, and automotive-grade artificial intelligence-powered manufacturing. It is actively expanding the upstream and downstream value chains.