BASF has opened Europe’s first co-located center for battery material production and recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany.
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“Despite all challenges we are currently facing in Europe, today is a reason for all of us to be optimistic,†said 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.â€
The newly opened plant not only serves as Germany’s first production facility for high-performance cathode active materials but also represents Europe’s inaugural fully automated large-scale cathode active materials production facility.
The plant, already sold out for the coming years, will supply tailored products to European cell manufacturers and automotive OEMs.
BASF’s innovative cathode active materials boast a significantly lower carbon footprint than industry benchmarks, thanks to the company’s proprietary energy-efficient production technologies and a high proportion of renewable energy.
Anticipating increasing customer demand in the European electric vehicle market, BASF is actively pursuing additional investments in cathode active materials and engaging in advanced negotiations with customers.
This underscores BASF’s commitment to establishing a robust and localized battery value chain in Europe.
Dr. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action said: “With the combination of a state-of-the-art CAM manufacturing and a recycling facility, Germany gains a key piece of the puzzle for its growing battery ecosystem.
"BASF’s project increases our sovereignty along the value chain, promotes the circular economy and thus strengthens economic security. The decision in favour of Schwarzheide underscores the attractiveness of the site – its history and chemical knowhow as well as its abundance of renewable energy in the vicinity.
"The project also highlights the ongoing transformation: Here, where coal was long liquefied into gasoline, the active material for EV batteries will be produced from now on. We are happy to support this transformation with IPCEI funding.â€
BASF has already introduced closed-loop solutions in Asia and North America, offering cathode active materials based on recycled metals to conserve resources and further reduce the CO2 footprint.
With the investments made in Schwarzheide, BASF is now directly supporting the European market while facilitating accelerated growth for its global business.
The newly constructed plant will mechanically process end-of-life batteries and waste from battery production to produce “black mass†containing key metals—lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese—used in cathode active materials.
These valuable metals can be chemically recovered in a sustainable manner to produce new cathode active materials.
Construction of the black mass production facility is already underway, with production expected to commence in 2024.
The two plants at the Schwarzheide site will expand BASF’s product portfolio and create approximately 180 new jobs. ■