BASF and CATL Strengthening Cooperation on Battery Cathode Materials
In a significant development, German chemical giant BASF and Chinese battery manufacturer CATL have broadened their partnership, focusing on the production of cathode active materials (CAM) on a global scale. This expansion, announced in July 2025, marks a shift from their initial regional focus in Europe.
The new framework agreement designates BASF as a key global supplier of CAM, utilising its extensive production network spanning multiple continents to cater to CATL’s growing demand for high-performance CAM and to establish efficient localised supply chains outside Europe.
This expanded partnership is a continuation of the collaboration that began in 2021, which aimed to create local value chains in Europe, with a particular emphasis on battery recycling and CO₂-reduced cathode material production. With this global extension, BASF continues to provide CAM produced with reduced carbon dioxide emissions, fostering sustainable battery manufacturing beyond Europe.
The partnership aims to strengthen global battery supply chains, enhance scalability, and promote innovation in cathode materials essential for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Battery Materials division, emphasised BASF's commitment to supporting CATL’s global business development through their diversified and local production capabilities. He also highlighted their shared strategic focus on sustainability and innovation in the battery industry.
This expansion underscores both companies' commitment to addressing the growing demand for sustainable battery solutions in the global market, contributing to a more sustainable and innovative future for the battery industry.
[1] BASF press release, July 2025. [2] CATL press release, July 2025. [3] Chemical & Engineering News, July 2025. [4] GreenTechMedia, July 2025.
Science and technology are at the heart of this partnership as BASF, a global leader in chemical production, teams up with CATL, a Chinese battery manufacturer, to produce cathode active materials (CAM) on a global scale. In the pursuit of sustainability and innovation, the collaboration will see BASF utilize its extensive production network, spanning multiple continents, to provide CATL with high-performance CAM produced with reduced carbon dioxide emissions, thereby fostering greener battery manufacturing across the globe.
