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Over the last few months, BASF has taken several strategic decisions to further strengthen its position in materials for high-performance batteries. Through acquisition of the US companies Ovonic Battery Company and Novolyte Technologies, purchase of Merck's electrolyte activities, conclusion of a license agreement to acquire the lithium iron phosphate technology (LFP) with the LiFePO4+C Licensing AG and participation in Sion Power, BASF has further improved its technology base and global market access for battery materials. Research and development activities have also been stepped up.
“Most materials in lithium-ion batteries of the kind currently used in electric or hybrid cars are based on innovations from chemistry,” said Dr. Andreas Fischer, Vice President Battery Research and Electrochemistry at BASF, in Ludwigshafen/Germany. Especially cathodes, anodes and electrolytes are important for battery performance. “A battery is a chemical power plant in which all the materials have to be optimally matched to each other,” added Fischer. Thus, BASF has initiated numerous research and development projects for these key components in recent years, with the aim of developing innovative materials for high-performance batteries that will significantly increase the range of electric cars while reducing the cost of the battery.
In these activities, BASF researchers are also cooperating with numerous national and international universities and research institutes as well as industry partners. One example is the Innovation Alliance HE-Lion (High Energy Lithium-ion Battery) sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research and headed by BASF. BASF researchers also operate a joint laboratory for the development of new battery materials with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The two partners are looking to invest about €12 million over the next five years.
BASF is also a founding member and member of the Board of the "Lithium-ion Battery Competence Network" (KLiB) in Ulm, Germany. KLiB is an association of German companies and application oriented research institutes along the lithium-ion battery value chain. The goal is to bundle the competences from industry, science and craft trades in order to strengthen the high-tech and production center Germany.