BASF has delivered the first batch of nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathode active materials (CAM) via its majority-owned joint venture BASF TODA Battery Materials (BTBM) to Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES), a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic).

BTBM provided a newly developed product from its high-performance CAM portfolio for PPES’s innovative battery cell solutions to serve the electric vehicle market. The first batch was produced at BTBM’s Onoda site, one of the world’s largest calcination facilities for CAM.

BASF is further advancing its already announced expansion project at the Onoda site, which is planned to start production in the second half of 2024. Through the expansion, the annual CAM supply will be increased to up to 45 GWh cell capacity per year. 

BASF and PPES have already been working together for several years. Combining PPES’s industrial expertise with BTBM’s deep manufacturing know-how, a tailor-made product has been developed to meet the requirements of higher power, longer life cycle, and improved efficiency.

“This is a great joint achievement by the BASF and PPES teams in Japan and a powerful step for the growing cooperation between both companies,” said Dr. Michael Baier, Senior Vice President, BASF Battery Materials.

“It fits well into BASF’s strategy to develop CAM together with leading battery manufacturers in their respective home markets and expand the business for more growth globally,” added Baier.

“PPES is committed to provide batteries and to offer a wide range of added value and solutions based on these vital energy devices for the sake of protecting the environment and resources of our precious planet,” added Yasuo Ikeda, 65D Project Leader of PPES.

“Together with BTBM, we have tackled many difficulties and developed a solution to serve our customers’ needs for superior electric powertrain solutions. We are looking forward to continually strengthening our partnership with BASF,” added Ikeda.

“We appreciate the seamless joint efforts with PPES, which have been very successful,” said Masanobu Hibino, CEO, BTBM.

“While working together with PPES in developing a customized solution, we have further broadened our product offerings. We are excited to support our customers’ global growth plans in the fast-growing e-mobility market,” added Hibino.