BASF and Nanotech Energy Partner to Cut CO2 Emissions in North American Lithium-Ion Batteries

BASF and Nanotech Energy Partner to Cut CO2 Emissions in North American Lithium-Ion Batteries

(IN BRIEF) BASF, a leading global battery materials producer, and Nanotech Energy, a graphene-based energy storage products leader, have joined forces to reduce the carbon footprint of Nanotech’s lithium-ion batteries for the North American market. The partnership aims to create a closed-loop system for lithium-ion batteries in North America, with BASF producing cathode active materials from recycled metals in Michigan. These materials will be used in lithium-ion battery cells produced by Nanotech Energy. Recycling metals for battery production can cut CO2 emissions by approximately 25% compared to primary metals sourced from mines. The collaboration also includes American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) and TODA Advanced Materials Inc., forming a localized battery value chain for consumer electronics and automotive industries in North America. Battery scrap and off-spec materials will be recycled, creating a circular economy for battery production in the region.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 12-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF, a globally leading battery materials producer, and Nanotech Energy, a worldwide leader in the field of graphene-based energy storage products, have agreed to partner to significantly reduce the CO2 footprint of Nanotech’s lithium-ion batteries for the North American market. The agreement aims to close the loop for lithium-ion batteries in North America, with BASF producing cathode active materials from recycled metals in Battle Creek, Michigan, for the usage in lithium-ion battery cells produced by Nanotech Energy. Feeding recycled metals into the production of new lithium-ion batteries can reduce the CO2 impact of batteries by about 25 percent compared to the use of primary metals from mines.

Both companies will additionally partner with American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), a lithium-ion battery recycling company in Reno, Nevada, and TODA Advanced Materials Inc. (TODA) with decades of experience in manufacturing specialized pCAM (precursor for Cathode Active Material) and metal hydroxide material located in Ontario, Canada, to establish such a localized battery value chain for the North American consumer electronics and automotive industries. Along that chain, battery scrap and off-spec material from Nanotech’s pilot operation in Chico, California, as well as from its planned commercial facility will be recycled by ABTC. The battery-grade metals as recovered by ABTC – such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium – will be subsequently used by TODA and BASF to produce new precursors and cathode active materials, respectively. Nanotech will then use these materials again in its battery cell production – overall, a truly circular economy in North America.

BASF recently announced battery recycling capacity in Europe and is already providing recycling services and cathode active material based on recycled metals as a closed-loop solution in Asia for years.

Daniel Schönfelder, Senior Vice President Battery Base Metals and Recycling at BASF, summarized: “Our partnership with Nanotech, ABTC, and TODA marks an important step for BASF’s global battery recycling business. Now, we are establishing the first closed-loop system in North America. This enables BASF and Nanotech to produce lithium-ion batteries with locally recycled content.”

Curtis Collar, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Nanotech Energy, said: “By working together, our four companies can pool their expertise and drive better and more sustainable outcomes for the entire North American electric vehicle and consumer electronics industries. This is a major milestone among the ongoing advances and growth of the lithium-ion battery market, and we are proud playing such a key role in the reduction of CO2 emissions along the battery value chain.”

About BASF Battery Materials and Recycling

BASF is a leading global supplier of advanced cathode active materials (CAM) for the lithium-ion batteries market, providing high performance CAM to the world’s largest cell producers and for leading platforms of OEMs. In addition, we offer base metals sourcing and management as well as closed-loop battery recycling solutions. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms and passion for innovation, BASF’s Battery Materials and Recycling unit develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success.

BASF Battery Materials and Recycling is part of BASF’s Catalysts division. The division’s portfolio also includes Environmental Catalysts and Metal Solutions, as well as process catalysts. Customers from a variety of industries including Automotive & Transportation, Chemicals, Plastics or Energy & Resources benefit from our innovative solutions. Further information on BASF’s Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About Nanotech Energy

Nanotech Energy is on a mission to bring transformative, graphene-based, energy storage products from the research lab to the mass market. Our very high surface area, single layer graphene material is already being used in multiple applications, including non-flammable lithium-ion batteries, transparent conducting electrodes, conductive inks, printed electronics, conductive epoxy, antistatic coatings and EMI (electromagnetic interference) shielding.

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Jack Kavanaugh and noted UCLA scientists, Dr. Richard Kaner and Dr. Maher El-Kady, Nanotech Energy is headquartered in Los Angeles and is a privately held company backed by Multiverse Investment Fund, Fubon Financial Group and other strategic investors. Learn more at https://nanotechenergy.com.

Media Contact:

BASF:
Sarah Katharina Müller
Global Media Relations Manager
+49 173 3099 741
mailto:sarah-katharina.mueller@basf.com

Nanotech Energy:
Rachel O’Rourke
Director of Marketing
Rachel@NanotechEnergy.com
+1 800 995-5491

SOURCE: BASF