BASF supplies high-performance cathode materials for battery manufacturer PPES

BASF, through its majority-owned joint venture BASF TODA Battery Materials LLC (BTBM), has delivered the first batch of nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathode materials to Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES), a joint venture of Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic).

More cathode materials for Japan

BTBM provides a newly developed product from its portfolio of high-performance cathode materials for innovative battery cell solutions from PPES for the electric vehicle market. The first batch was produced at the Onoda site in Japan, one of the world's largest calcination plants for cathode materials. BASF is advancing the previously announced expansion project at the Onoda site with a planned production start in the second half of 2024. The expansion will increase the annual supply of cathode materials to up to 45 GWh cell capacity per year.

BASF and PPES have been working together for several years. Thanks to PPES's industry expertise combined with BTBM's comprehensive manufacturing know-how, a customized product has been developed to meet battery requirements for higher performance, longer lifespan, and improved efficiency.

"This is a great joint success of the BASF and PPES teams in Japan and an important step for further cooperation between the two companies," says Dr. Michael Baier, Senior Vice President Battery Materials at BASF and explains:

"It fits well into BASF's strategy to develop cathode materials together with leading battery manufacturers in their respective home markets and to expand the business for more growth worldwide."

"PPES wants to deliver batteries with great added value and a variety of solutions to protect the environment and resources of our precious planet," adds Yasuo Ikeda, 65D Project Leader at PPES. He recalls:

"Together with BTBM we have overcome many difficulties and developed a solution to meet our customers' need for superior solutions for the electric powertrain. We look forward to further expanding our partnership with BASF."

"We appreciate the straightforward collaboration with PPES, which has proven to be very successful," says Masanobu Hibino, CEO of BTBM. He is pleased:

"Through the collaboration with PPES in developing a customized solution, we have further expanded our product offering. We are pleased to support our customers' global growth plans in the rapidly growing electromobility market."

What does this mean?

BASF continues to branch out: The strategic collaboration enables both companies to unlock further global growth opportunities for a more sustainable battery value chain.