BASF markets anode binders for lithium-ion batteries

Licity lithium-ion battery binders help prevent electrode swelling, thus enabling higher battery capacities.

Electric mobility is one of the most promising solutions to today’s climate and energy challenges. According to the International Energy Agency1, around 2.1 million electric vehicles (EV) were sold worldwide in 2019, with China accounting for more than half of the global sales.

With the Chinese government’s announcement to promote the green car policy covering public usage, this new clean energy trend is pushing key global automotive OEMs and battery companies to enhance lithium-ion battery technology. To compete in the vigorous markets in China, Japan, and South Korea, the OEM manufacturers have made massive investments in new gigafactories across Asia, Europe, and the United States.

BASF has developed its new Licity product range in order to meet these needs. Depending on their requirements, customers can choose between series with different application focus, e.g., binders suitable for pure graphite or silicon-containing anodes. Irrespective of focus, all Licity binders enable higher capacity, increased number of charge / discharge cycles and reduced charging times.

“Licity lithium-ion battery binders help prevent electrode swelling, thus enabling higher battery capacities. It could encourage more petrol car users to shift to electric mobility,” said Jeff Knight, Senior Vice President, Dispersions & Resins Asia Pacific at BASF. “Many world-leading battery manufacturers are based in Asia Pacific. With our worldwide state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, we can supply customers with high-quality local products supported by our strong technical expertise and application know-how. Our global presence can also support our customers to extend their production footprints out of Asia by providing consistently high-quality products close to their manufacturing base. We anticipate BASF will become a key global player in this market very soon,” he added.

Licity binders are waterborne, carboxylated styrene butadiene copolymers with very low VOC content.