BASF and TODA KOGYO CORP. (TODA) had announced that they will further expand the production capacity of BASF TODA Battery Materials LLC (BTBM) at the Onoda site in Japan.

BTBM is a BASF majority-owned joint venture with TODA formed in 2015. The new capacity at the Onoda site will start construction in Q4 2022. Meanwhile, commercial production is planned for the second half of 2024. After expansion, BTBM’s annual capacity for high nickel cathode active materials (CAM) will achieve up to 60,000 tons by 2025.

“BTBM is a leader for high nickel CAM materials of superior quality. It plays an important role in BASF’s global production network for battery materials,” said Dr. Peter Schuhmacher, President, Catalysts division at BASF.

“The investment at the Onoda site will support our customers’ ambitious growth plans in Japan and worldwide. We will introduce an innovative and proprietary new production process allowing highest throughput rate combined with consistent highest quality,” continued Schuhmacher.

Boost Local Supply Chain

Shigeru Takaragi, President of TODA KOGYO CORP., added, “With the further expansion of the Onoda site, we are supporting the Japanese government’s goal of strengthening the local supply chain. Together with BASF, we are combining and mobilizing resources to take full advantage of our synergies to respond to the fast-growing demand for lithium ion batteries.”

“BTBM combines manufacturing and technology expertise of BASF and Toda. Both partners are working closely together combining know-how and resources to support BTBM’s growth,” said Dr. Michael Baier, Senior Vice President of BASF Battery Materials.

Dr. Baier said that BTBM also benefits from its close cooperation with innovative Japanese engineering companies and equipment suppliers.

The new expansion project has been selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a “Program for Promoting Investment in Japan to Strengthen Supply Chains.” This project has been granted subsidies.