BASF and WELION achieve breakthrough with first mass production of CAM for Semi-Solid-State batteries

BASF Battery Materials has successfully delivered its first batches of mass-produced Cathode Active Materials (CAM) for Semi-Solid-State batteries.
Photo: BASF

(IN BRIEF) BASF Battery Materials, through its joint venture BASF Shanshan Battery Materials (BSBM), has achieved a milestone by delivering its first mass-produced Cathode Active Materials for Semi-Solid-State batteries in collaboration with Beijing WELION New Energy. From concept to mass production in just one year, the project combines BASF’s expertise in materials innovation with WELION’s decades of Solid-State battery development. The new ultra-high Nickel NCM CAM with composite coating improves energy density, cycling performance, and safety. This milestone marks an important step toward the industrialization of Solid-State batteries and highlights both companies’ commitment to driving next-generation energy storage solutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 29-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF Battery Materials, through its joint venture BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd. (BSBM), has achieved a major milestone in the advancement of next-generation energy storage. Working closely with Beijing WELION New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., the company has successfully delivered its first batches of mass-produced Cathode Active Materials (CAM) for Semi-Solid-State batteries. This achievement marks an important step toward the commercialization of Solid-State battery technology.

Solid-State batteries, including Semi-Solid-State batteries, are seen as the next generation of battery technology and have garnered widespread attention.
Graph: WELION

The collaboration addresses one of the key challenges facing the fast-growing new energy sector: the need for higher energy density combined with greater safety. Solid-State batteries, and specifically Semi-Solid-State designs, are viewed globally as the next generation of advanced batteries, with applications ranging from electric vehicles and energy storage systems to drones and power tools.

WELION New Energy has built its reputation as a pioneer with decades of expertise in Solid-State battery development, while BSBM contributes more than 20 years of innovation in cathode active material production. Since the project was initiated in August 2024, both partners have moved rapidly from concept to full-scale production in just one year, underscoring the strength of their partnership and technical capabilities.

As part of the project, BSBM’s R&D team developed an ultra-high Nickel NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) CAM with a unique composite coating layer. This breakthrough addresses interface challenges between cathode materials and solid electrolytes. The result is enhanced energy density, lower resistance, and improved cycling performance, as well as extended battery life by suppressing side reactions at critical material interfaces.

Commenting on the success, Dr. Xin Xia, CTO of BSBM, highlighted the close collaboration as key to the outcome: “The commercial implementation of this project is a result of our high technological competency as well as the close interaction between our technical teams.” Dr. Wenjun Li, Director of WELION New Energy Engineering Institute, added: “We are proud to jointly contribute to the future of the battery industry.”

Dr. Jin Xiang, General Manager of WELION New Energy, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: “We are impressed by BASF’s robust technology and fast response. As a leading manufacturer in the Solid-State battery industry, WELION will use BASF’s cathode materials in our new generation of Semi-Solid-State batteries and look forward to more joint projects both at home and globally.”

Desmond Long, Senior Vice President of BASF Battery Materials and CEO of BSBM, described the achievement as a defining moment: “This collaboration marks a milestone for our battery materials business and is a significant step forward in the field of Solid-State batteries. We look forward to further deepening our cooperation with WELION New Energy and achieving further breakthroughs in Solid-State battery technology together.”

The successful industrial-scale delivery of CAM for Semi-Solid-State batteries illustrates the combined strength of BASF and WELION in accelerating innovation, commercialization, and industrial adoption of Solid-State battery technologies. Together, the companies are laying the foundation for safer, more energy-dense, and more sustainable energy solutions that will shape the future of mobility and energy storage.

About BASF Battery Materials

BASF’s Battery Materials business is a global leader in advanced cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion batteries. We empower the world’s leading cell manufacturers and OEM platforms with high-performance solutions tailored to their needs. Our portfolio includes base metals sourcing and management, as well as various battery recycling solutions. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms and passion for innovation, we develop unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success and support the transition towards electromobility. Our international production and R&D footprint ensure a reliable supply of high-quality materials and localized support for our customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.battery-materials.basf.com.

BASF Shanshan Battery Materials is a joint venture established in 2021 by BASF and Shanshan, dedicated to proprietary research and development and production of cathode active materials, it has delved into the battery materials industry for more than two decades. We have strong technological innovation capabilities, and the BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Research Institute is a leading international research and innovation center. Our main products are battery cathode materials (such as ternary, lithium cobalt oxide, Solid-State battery materials, lithium manganese oxide, lithium-rich manganese, and sodium batteries) and precursors, which are widely used in the electric vehicle industry, consumer electronics industry, and other fields. For more information, please visit www.bsbm.com.

About WELION New Energy

Beijing WELION New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.， founded in 2016 and located in Fangshan District, Beijing, is the Solid-State battery production and incubation center of Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The company’s main business is solid state lithium-ion batteries and covers R&D, production, market, sales, etc. WELION New Energy has over 40 years of solid- state battery industry research experience and holds multiple “first breakthroughs” in the solid state lithium battery industry field. For more information, please visit www.solidstatelion.com.

Media Contacts: 

BASF         
Media Relations:
Matthias Bartmann
Phone: +49 1520 9001168
Email: matthias.bartmann@basf.com

WELION 
Media Relations:
Yi Lu
Phone: +86 153 1350 3365
Email: ylu@welion.cn

SOURCE: BASF