BASF, TODA to Combine Cathode Manufacturing Activities in US

BASF SE and Toda Kogyo Corp (TODA) announced two significant steps to further enhance their collaboration. A strengthening of production capabilities both in US and Japan will help enable e-mobility and generate business opportunities for the two companies.  

BASF TODA Battery Materials LLC (BTBM), a joint venture between BASF and TODA, has now tripled its high nickel cathode active materials (CAMs) capacity at its Onoda site in Japan.

BTBM was established as a BASF-majority-owned joint venture in 2015 to build up production capacity to meet customers’ needs in the rapidly evolving CAMs market. With the completion of this expansion, BTBM is now operating the world’s largest calcination facility for already qualified high nickel CAMs for its growing customer base.

Furthermore, both parties announced their plan to collaborate with US. Manufacturing facilities in Elyria, Ohio, and Battle Creek, Michigan, will be combined to form BASF Toda America LLC (BTA). This new entity, majority owned and controlled by BASF, will provide unique solutions supporting customers’ needs in high energy CAMs and will establish a strong position for BTA in the fast-growing North American e-mobility market.

“BASF and TODA anticipate the fast-growing market needs in e-mobility. The further collaboration in North America supports BASF’s strategy to be a global leader in the cathode materials market and reinforces BASF’s commitment to exploring a broad range of opportunities to accelerate our growth and expansion in battery materials,” said Kenneth Lane, president of BASF’s catalysts division.

“The success of BTBM is purely led by the integration of an unparalleled technology of TODA and the global market presence of BASF. We are continuously making developments together to achieve a profitable business which is demonstrated by a strong relationship and trust that has been built over time. We are confident to realize further business success together in the battery materials market through our collaboration both in Japan and in US,” said Tadashi Kubota, chairman of Toda Kogyo Corp.

“Our collaboration with TODA in the North American market further expands our global manufacturing footprint, positioning BASF as a reliable partner to support customer needs in key regions with local production,” said Jeffrey Lou, senior vice president of battery materials, BASF.