BASF and Toda Kogyo form JV for cathode materials

BASF and Toda Kogyo Corp have formed a joint venture BASF Toda Battery Materials LLC for providing cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion batteries in Japan. BASF Japan will own 66 percent in the JV, with remaining stake owned by Toda Kogyo.
 
The joint venture will conduct research and development, production, marketing and sales for a broad range of cathode materials, particularly nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (NCA), lithium manganese oxide (LMO) and nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) in Japan. These materials are used in lithium-ion batteries for the automotive, consumer electronics, and stationary storage markets. Internationally, the company will leverage BASF’s global network and reach to drive growth in the battery materials market, which BASF has identified as a key growth field for the future.
 
Kenneth Lane, president of BASF’s catalysts division, said, “BASF brings global strength in cathode active materials to this new venture, together with a 150-year history of innovation. We look forward to developing the business in Japan, which is a global leader in lithium-ion battery manufacturing and innovation.”
 
Shigeru Takaragi, president of Toda Kogyo Corp, added, “With the formation of this joint venture we are ready to respond in a flexible and timely manner to the globally expanding cathode materials market for lithium-ion batteries. BASF and Toda will combine and mobilise resources to take full advantage of our synergies so that we can provide more innovative solutions to meet customer needs and demands.”