BASF opens battery materials production, recycling plant in Germany

BASF has officially opened its co-located battery material production and recycling facility in Schwarzheide, Germany, marking what the German-based chemical and materials company says is the first production facility for high-performance cathode active materials (CAM) in Germany and the first fully automated large-scale CAM production facility in Europe.

The company already offers recycled CAM in Asia and North America, and the investment in the German site directly supports the European market while enabling faster growth for its global business, BASF says.

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“Despite all the challenges we are currently facing in Europe, today is a reason for all of us to be optimistic,” says Dr. Martin Brudermüller, chairman of the board of executive directors of BASF SE. “The state-of-the-art cathode active materials plant and the recycling plant for black mass production underline that we at BASF believe in the future of the chemical industry in Europe and in Germany and invest in innovative products and services for our customers in our home market.

“With our two investments, we significantly contribute to the reduction of the CO₂ footprint of batteries and close the loop for sustainable mobility.”

The plant, originally announced in June 2022, will supply products tailored to the specific needs of cell manufacturers and automotive original equipment manufacturers in Europe, and according to BASF, is fully sold out for the next several years.

BASF says it already is preparing additional investments for cathode active materials in Europe and is in advanced negotiations with customers to meet growing demand in the European electric vehicle market.

“By establishing our first European co-located center for battery materials and recycling, we want to strengthen the battery value chain in Europe,” says Dr. Peter Schuhmacher, head of BASF’s Battery Materials and Recycling business and president of the catalysts division. “We will continue to close the loop and invest in our production and recycling capacities globally to meet the demand of our customers for high-performance cathode active materials with a low CO₂ footprint.”

Construction of a black mass production facility already is underway and BASF expects production to start next year.

“The EU battery market is rapidly growing,” European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič says. “Demand for batteries is expected to continue to increase drastically in the coming years for both mobility and storage, and our competitors are also pursuing this market.

“With [BASF’s] focus on advanced cathode active material and on recycling, it demonstrates that we can boost the EU’s competitiveness and reduce its dependencies in a strategic sector and accelerate the green transition.”