BASF Further Broadens Technology Base and Global Market Access for Battery Materials

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 U.S. 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.

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. “We have therefore 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.

“In HE-Lion we are collaborating with other companies such as Bosch and VW and numerous universities and research institutes in developing the next generation of lithium-ion batteries,” explained Fischer.

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.

Besides materials for lithium-ion batteries, BASF is also researching future battery concepts such as lithium sulfur and lithium air.

“These new technologies promise much higher energy densities and have the potential to further reduce the weight and cost of the batteries,” said Fischer. Here too, BASF is cooperating with external partners from science and industry.

“We are working on basic questions relating to new materials and functional components, for example in the research network Electrochemistry and Batteries, with scientific partners from Germany, Switzerland, Israel, the USA and Canada. To increase the service life and energy density of lithium-sulfur batteries, BASF is also cooperating with the U.S. company Sion Power,” added Fischer.

“Over the last few months, we have taken a major stride closer to achieving our goal of becoming the leading supplier of functional materials and components for existing and future lithium-ion batteries,” emphasized Ralf Meixner, senior vice president battery mMaterials at BASF. “With the latest expansions and additions to our portfolio we have broadened our technology base and our global market access and have further improved our competitive position.”

In February this year, BASF acquired the U.S. company Ovonic Battery Company, the world leader in nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH batteries). “Besides assuming a leading position in nickel-metal hydride battery technology, we have also acquired the long-standing business relationships with the world’s largest battery manufacturers,” explained Meixner. Ovonic, with its high research competence, is also an ideal fit with BASF development projects in the battery materials field.

“The acquisition of the electrolyte business for high performance batteries from Merck announced in February and of Novolyte Technologies in April have also significantly strengthened our position as a global supplier of electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries with production centers in Europe, USA and Asia Pacific,” said Meixner. BASF acquired the already marketed electrolyte products and the research portfolio from Merck. The acquisition of the Novolyte business included the development, manufacture and marketing of high-performance electrolyte formulations with production centers in the USA and China.

Another milestone is BASF’s first production plant for cathode materials in Elyria, USA. “Beginning later this year, we will be producing innovative cathode materials at this site,” added Meixner. The facility, with an investment volume of than $50 million, will be one of the world’s most cutting-edge production plants for cathode materials.

In March, BASF also signed a long-term license agreement with LiFePO4+C Licensing AG in Muttenz, Switzerland, to acquire global rights for the production and marketing of the innovative cathode material lithium-iron phosphate (LFP). LFP cathode materials can be used in all types of lithium-ion batteries and are most suitable for high-performance applications such as hybrid vehicles and grid storage batteries.

“Our agreement with LiFePO4+C makes BASF the world’s only company that can offer its customers the highest-demand cathode materials nickel cobalt manganese and lithium iron phosphate together with a license for their use,” explained Meixner.

The global battery market offers BASF major growth prospects.

“We assume that in 2020 the global market potential for batteries for electromobility alone could reach €20 billion,” added Meixner. He estimates the sales potential for BASF at around €500 million. “In a dynamic market, we want to support our customers’ global competitiveness as a solution-oriented system supplier of materials for batteries,” said Meixner. “The products are addressed to cell and battery manufacturers. BASF will continue to invest in its own research and development activities, production plants, cooperations and participations.” A total investment in the three-digit million euro range is planned for 2011 to 2016.

To motivate top-flight researchers and establish itself even more strongly in the field of electrochemistry and its applications, BASF and Volkswagen are sponsoring the international “Science Award Electrochemistry,” which was announced in May. The science award is designed to promote outstanding scientific and engineering achievements and deliver impetus for the development of high-performance energy storage systems. The award will be offered annually from now on, and is addressed to scientists working in academic research worldwide. The prize is worth €50,000. Candidates for the science award can apply at the internet platform www.science-award.com by August 3, 2012. The award ceremony will be held on October 22, 2012 in Wolfsburg, Germany.