BASF closes agreement to form BASF Toda America LLC (BTA) for battery materials

• BASF strengthens its global business
• BASF now offers state-of-the-art high energy cathode active materials (CAM) closer to North American customers

Ludwigshafen, March 8, 2018 – BASF, the world’s largest chemical supplier to the automotive industry, has closed its agreement to form BASF Toda America LLC (BTA). As the next step in BASF’s business growth strategy for its battery materials business, the new entity will be majority owned and controlled by BASF and is the second successful collaboration of BASF and TODA. BTA will produce and market high energy Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) and Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA) cathode active materials (CAM) for e-mobility applications.

With facilities in Elyria, Ohio and Battle Creek, Michigan, BTA will deliver leading expertise in the manufacturing of CAM. This expansion of its North American footprint allows BASF to offer a strategic supply position and produce innovative cathode materials to meet the needs of key global customers.

“The start-up of BTA represents another strategic move for BASF’s battery materials business. BASF is currently supplying key automotive platforms with battery materials and is in qualification of all major future platforms,” said Kenneth Lane, President of BASF’s Catalysts Division. “With this investment, BASF is executing its vision to establish a global manufacturing presence for battery materials and responding to growing market needs.”

“With local production BASF can better collaborate with and serve our automotive customers located in North America,” said Jeffrey Lou, BASF’s Senior Vice President, Battery Materials. “In combination with BASF’s global research & development resources and a combined portfolio of technologies, BASF is able to support the requirements of our customers and take an active role in developing the rapidly growing e-mobility CAM market in North America, and beyond.”

About BASF’s Catalysts Division
BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success. 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. The more than 115,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of €64.5 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.

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