BASF Closes Deal For Collaborating With Japan's Toda In US

BASF has closed its agreement with Japan’s Toda to form BASF Toda America LLC (BTA).

In December last year BASF and Toda Kogyo Corp had announced steps to enhance their collaboration and strengthen production capabilities in the US and Japan. BASF Toda Battery Materials LLC (BTBM), a jv set up in 2015, announced tripling of its high nickel Cathode Active Materials (CAMs) capacity at its Onoda site in Japan. The two partners also announced plans to collaborate in the US by combining manufacturing facilities in Elyria, Ohio, and Battle Creek, Michigan, to form BASF Toda America LLC (BTA).

BTA will produce and market high energy Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) and Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA) cathode active materials (CAM) for e-mobility applications. With facilities in Elyria, Ohio and Battle Creek, Michigan, BTA will deliver leading expertise in the manufacturing of CAM. BASF said the expansion of its North American footprint allows it to offer a strategic supply position and produce innovative cathode materials to meet the needs of key global customers.

“The start-up of BTA represents another strategic move for BASF’s battery materials business. BASF is currently supplying key automotive platforms with battery materials and is in qualification of all major future platforms,” said Mr. Kenneth Lane, President of BASF’s Catalysts Division. “With this investment, BASF is executing its vision to establish a global manufacturing presence for battery materials and responding to growing market needs,” he added.