BASF Catalysts offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products including advanced battery materials. BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. We believe mobility’s future lies in more than just products. So where others come to a full stop, we’re just getting started—by leveraging the full power of BASF to continually advance our comprehensive package of sustainable solutions that enable us to travel further, as well as above and beyond. A leading supplier of high performance cathode active materials (CAM) for electrified vehicles to battery producers and automotive OEMs around the world. Protecting the air we breathe from harmful emissions through innovation. BASF leverages unsurpassed expertise in the development of emission control technologies for a wide range of market applications. BASF is committed to advancing and promoting environmentally-sound technologies to achieve a sustainable future in aviation. Offering 50 years of experience developing intelligent solutions for air quality over a wide range of applications — enabling clean air for a healthier, more sustainable future. As the global leader in chemical catalysts, BASF develops cutting-edge catalyst chemistry with our customers’ needs in mind. We want to contribute to a world that provides a viable future with enhanced quality of life for everyone. We do so by creating chemistry for our customers and society and by making the best use of available resources. BASF offers the widest portfolio of adsorbent technologies for a broad spectrum of applications in industries such as refining, petrochemical, chemical, and gas processing. Syngas, produced from natural gas or coal, is a key intermediate in the emerging technologies for gas-to-liquids (GTL), methanol-to-olefins, coal-to-liquids and fuel cells. At BASF, our Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst and additive offerings together with our expert technical services build the right solution to create value within any unit’s constraints. Paving the way toward a brighter, more secure future. Manufacturing products for sustainable solutions, reducing emissions from our processes, and using non-fossil fueled energy sources – all of these efforts help lead BASF on a continuing journey of sustainability. BASF Natural Gas experts have a diverse portfolio of products to custom design a solution and help you meet your Natural Gas treatment needs. BASF has been serving the natural gas treatment market for over 60 years. Innovative, step-change technology with dual-purpose performance: removal of heavy hydrocarbons and water to cryogenic specifications in a single unit. With more than 150 years of experience in metal sourcing, trading, and hedging, we’ve built tangible results for our industrial customers. With more than 100 years of experience in recycling materials, BASF’s end-to-end recycling program is known and trusted around the globe. As a leader in precious-metal thermocouples for many years, BASF recently applied its technological expertise to optical-based temperature measurement. Developing and producing pharmaceutical ingredients for more than 75 years, enabling us to provide the solutions you need to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges for your pharmaceutical business. Find the latest news and media information for BASF’s Catalysts division, headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. Explore this collection of resources to learn more about our innovative research and Catalyst solutions.
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European Battery Materials Investment Project

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European Battery Materials Investment Project Schwarzheide Plant Harjavalta Plant

Battery materials are at the heart of lithium-ion batteries as they significantly determine their performance and therefore play a crucial role in the transformation of mobility. BASF is the first company to establish a co-located battery materials and recycling center and close the loop in the European battery value chain.

Building a European Battery Materials Value Chain
Map

Map of the sites

In February 2020, BASF selected Schwarzheide, Germany for cathode active materials CAM production in Europe, enabling the supply of cathode active material for approximately 20 GWh of cell capacity per year. The Schwarzheide production plant uses an industry-leading energy mix with a low CO2 footprint and is gradually being commissioned since year-end 2022.

In 2023, we plan to start up a prototype recycling plant in Schwarzheide, Germany, using a proprietary BASF process with leading recovery rates and a low CO2 footprint.

In addition, BASF plans to start up a commercial-scale battery recycling plant for the production of black mass in 2024. It will mechanically treat end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and scrap from battery production before valuable metals can be chemically extracted. With both recycling plants, BASF aims to further increase the sustainability of the battery value chain - from the collection of used batteries and the recovery of mineral raw materials to their use in the production of new battery materials.

Moreover, BASF is working on the integration of the production plant in Harjavalta, Finland, for the supply of precursors of cathode active materials.
BASF Catalysts | CO₂ Tree

Reducing the CO2 footprint

BASF's investments in Europe help customers keep the carbon footprint through the value chain as low as possible. Our cathode active materials have an industry leading low CO2 impact.

Thanks to our efficient manufacturing process, the high share of renewable energy, the upstream integration into the key raw materials like Cobalt and Nickel, as well as the short transportation route along the value chain we are able to reduce the CO2 footprint significantly compared to benchmark players.

With the development of innovative processes for recycling battery raw materials, all these will enable us to close the loop and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

Snapshot of the new CAM plant in Schwarzheide, Germany
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The new CAM plant in Schwarzheide (Germany)

First production of cathode active materials in Germany

BASF's new plant for cathode active materials is located at the BASF site in Schwarzheide, one of the largest European sites within the BASF Group after its headquarters in Ludwigshafen.

The new plant is not only the first production facility for high-performance cathode active materials in Germany, but also the first fully automated large-scale cathode active materials production facility in Europe.

It creates more than 150 jobs, sending also a positive signal for shaping the structural change in the Lausitz region. The site in Schwarzheide uses an energy-efficient gas and steam turbine power plant that operates on the principle of combined heat and power generation. In 2022, BASF commissioned first joint solar park in the immediate vicinity of the BASF site in Schwarzheide, covering part of the energy needs for the production plant for cathode active materials.

The plant is fully sold out for the next years and will supply products tailored to the specific needs of cell manufacturers and automotive OEMs in Europe. In order to meet growing customer demand for the European electric vehicle market, BASF is already preparing additional investments for cathode active materials in Europe and is in advanced negotiations with customers. This underlines BASF’s commitment to establishing a robust, localized battery value chain in Europe.
VPK PP 02 Black mass plant

Black mass plant in Schwarzheide (Germany)

What's next: Kick-off for world-class battery recycling plant for black mass in Schwarzheide, Germany

A battery recycling plant for the production of black mass represents important steps toward closing the loop for the European battery value chain.

BASF is directly supporting the European market and at the same time enabling faster growth for its global business. End-of-life batteries and waste from battery production are mechanically processed in the new plant for black mass production.

"Black mass" contains key metals used to make cathode active materials: lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese. In a second step, these valuable metals can be chemically recovered in the most sustainable way and used to produce new cathode active materials. Construction of a black mass production facility has already begun, and production is expected to start in 2024.
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Sponsors

The investment in a cathode active materials plant is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag and the Ministry of Economics, Labour and Energy of the State of Brandenburg on the basis of a resolution of the Brandenburg State Parliament within the IPCEI on Batteries.
Video Cathode active materials plant in Schwarzheide, Germany
Video Battery recycling plant for black mass production at BASF’s Schwarzheide site, Germany

Snapshot on our plant in Harjavalta, Finland
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Plant for precursor cathode active materials in Harjavalta (Finland)

BASF’s new plant for precursor cathode active materials is located in close proximity to partner companies in the Harjavalta industrial park. This ensures the secure and reliable supply of raw materials and also reduces the carbon footprint during transportation.

To further minimize the CO2 impact, the new plant uses renewable energy resources, including hydro, wind and biomass-based power.

It brings a high double-digit number of jobs to the Satakunnan region and is an important building block in the establishment of a Finnish battery value chain.

The investment is co-funded by Business Finland within the IPCEI on Batteries.

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