BASF Plans Development of Cathode Active Materials Plant

German chemicals and materials giant BASF recently inked an agreement to acquire a piece of land in Bécancour, QC to build a cathode active materials production and recycling facility, the firm announced Friday.

The opening of the new location will support the North American e-mobility market’s ongoing growth and bolster the company’s position as a leader in cathode active materials (CAM) in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

“With new investments in electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure being announced continuously in North America, we are pleased to pursue our own investment in the region,” Dr. Peter Schuhmacher, president of BASF’s Catalysts division, said in a company release. “This land acquisition is a necessary prerequisite to further advance our strategy to grow our footprint in key regions to better serve our customer’s operations with sustainable and reliable local supply.”

Project planning is currently underway. The new Bécancour site will have enough space to accommodate up to 100 kt/yr of production capacity, and the location is also expected to feature nickel and cobalt intermediates base metal refining and battery materials recycling capabilities.

BASF anticipates that the Bécancour site will be commissioned in 2025.