BASF moving ahead with construction of battery materials plants in Europe

Despite the uncertainties brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, German chemicals giant, BASF, is going ahead with its battery materials projects in Europe as planned.

After the casting of the foundation for its precursor cathode active material (PCAM) plant in Harjavalta, Finland, BASF has officially started construction. In addition, BASF has secured the construction permits to begin building the new cathode active material (CAM) plant in Schwarzheide, Germany. The company said the multi-step investment project is progressing as scheduled for a 2022 start-up.

The new battery materials plants are part of BASF’s goal to be the leading global supplier of high-energy density CAM for the automotive industry. The initial capacities will enable the supply of around 400,000 full electric vehicles per year with BASF battery materials.

“We are determined to provide innovative high-performance products with a minimised CO2 footprint along the battery value chain. Through regional production in combination with renewable energy sources as well as use of energy efficient and proprietary process technologies in our new plants in Europe, we are able to reduce CO2 footprint significantly – by around 30% compared with conventional industry standard on the market,” said Dr. Peter Schuhmacher, President, Catalysts division at BASF.