Collaboration between BASF and CATL Deepens for Advancements in Cathode Materials Development
In a significant move, German chemical giant BASF and Chinese battery manufacturer CATL have broadened their partnership, signing a 2025 framework agreement. This collaboration is centred around jointly developing and supplying advanced cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion batteries.
The details of the contract remain undisclosed, but the agreement aims to integrate BASF's chemical engineering expertise and global production network with CATL's battery manufacturing leadership. The goal is to strengthen supply chain resilience, support CATL's international manufacturing layout, and accelerate innovation in battery materials.
Key aspects of their collaboration include joint research and development of next-generation, high-performance cathode materials tailored to evolving battery technology. BASF will act as a critical global supplier for CATL, leveraging its diverse and localized production capacity to support CATL's expanding manufacturing footprint worldwide.
Sustainability is at the heart of their collaboration. Initiatives such as battery recycling breakthroughs and the development of CO2-reduced cathode active material production methods are key focuses. BASF's portfolio includes base metal sourcing, battery recycling solutions, and proprietary low-carbon CAM technologies aimed at promoting a sustainable battery value chain.
This partnership builds upon an initial 2021 strategic alliance, deepening cooperation to cover the full lifecycle of battery production—from materials innovation, through manufacturing support, to recycling—in order to deliver tailored, sustainable solutions aligned with the growing demands of electromobility and global battery markets.
Initially, BASF will supply cathode materials from its European sites. However, the focus of the collaboration has now shifted from Europe to a global level. The new focus includes battery recycling and CO2-reduced CAM production, aiming to support CATL's global expansion and sustainability goals.
In summary, BASF and CATL's expanding collaboration covers cathode material co-development, battery recycling processes, and CO2-reduced CAM production, leveraging BASF's worldwide production footprint to support CATL's global battery technology growth. This strategic partnership is set to revolutionise the battery industry, contributing significantly to the advancement of electromobility and sustainable battery solutions.
The strategic partnership between BASF and CATL is extended to cover the global advancement of renewable-energy, focusing on the development and supply of cathode active materials (finance). This collaboration includes initiatives such as CO2-reduced cathode active material production methods and battery recycling processes (industry), aiming to foster sustainability in the energy sector.
