Ludwigshafen, Germany, Moscow, Russia, Shanghai, China-October 22, 2018-BASF chose to build the first European battery material production base in Harjavalta, Finland, to serve the European automotive market. The base will be built near the nickel and cobalt refineries of Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel).
This investment is part of a step-by-step investment plan of 400 million euros for battery materials announced by BASF last year. The new base will be based on the initial battery material production line launched in Haryvarta in 2018 and is scheduled to start production in late 2020. After the base is completed, if it is based on pure electric vehicles, it will be able to provide battery materials for nearly 300,000 vehicles each year. The new base in Haryawalta will be produced using local renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind power and bio-electricity.
In addition, BASF also signed a long-term market-based supply agreement with Nordic Nickel, which will provide nickel and cobalt raw materials to the Nickel Metal Refinery. The agreement will promote the localization of raw material procurement and supply stability in European battery production.
The investment in the new Finnish base also strengthened BASF's support for the European Commission's development of the European battery production value chain. BASF is currently evaluating the possibility of adding new production sites for battery materials in other European locations.
Kenneth Lane, President of BASF Catalysts Global Business Unit, said: "The investment in Halewarta will enable BASF to have local production capabilities in all major global market regions and be closer to customers to support the rapidly growing electric vehicle market .Combining with the cooperation with Nuo Nickel, we will create a powerful platform linking industry leaders in raw material supply, technology and production, and work together to promote the development of the battery materials industry. "
Dr. Jianfeng Lou, senior vice president of battery materials at BASF, added: "The proximity of BASF's new base and the Halevartano nickel metal refinery will give us the best advantage of obtaining local nickel and cobalt supplies. Our high Nickel cathode material is the key to supporting our customers to enhance the energy density of batteries and increase the driving range of electric vehicles. With this world-class production base, BASF will support major automotive mainframe manufacturers and batteries through reliable supply and close cooperation. Suppliers implement their EV growth strategy in Europe. "
Sergey Batekhin, Senior Vice President, Sales, Procurement and Innovation, Nordic said: "BASF is one of our long-term strategic partners, and we are pleased to further expand our partnership with BASF. This agreement is an important part of Nordic's global strategy , That is, expanding the market in the global battery materials market and establishing long-term cooperative relationships with leading manufacturers of cathode materials. "
Batekhin also said: "We believe that electric vehicles are likely to drive a radical change in the global nickel industry. Nuonic Nickel, as the world's leading supplier of refined nickel products, has a unique position in supporting change. We are particularly proud of It plays an important role in supporting the development of the green economy in Europe and the world. Nuonic Nickel reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and long-term development of the resource base and a strong commitment to be a responsible participant in the global material supply chain. "