BASF receives funding for battery recycling project

The European Commission has just awarded BASF a €100 million grant to support its upcoming large-scale refinery project for electric vehicle battery recycling. The planned investment project, to be located in Tarragona, Spain and subject to final investment decision, will recover valuable materials from end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap that can be fed back into the circular battery material loop and re-used for battery production. The Government of Spain, through the Ministry of Industry and Energy, also confirmed that, under the Perte Vec 2 program, the project has been awarded with another grant for the sum of €15.8 million.

BASF offers battery recycling solutions worldwide and is actively contributing to the establishment of a competitive battery recycling footprint in Europe, while reducing the industry’s dependence on imported key raw materials. On top, battery recycling further improves the sustainability of electric vehicles as recycled metals have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to metal production from mining.

In Schwarzheide, Germany, BASF is preparing to start up a prototype metal refinery plant next to the battery recycling plant for the production for black mass, which is planned to start operations mid-2024. The prototype plant will play a vital role in developing operational procedures and optimizing innovative battery recycling technology to be used in the planned large-scale refinery. BASF aims to achieve superior recovery rates of valuable metals as it scales up this technology.

About BASF Battery Materials

BASF is a leading global supplier of advanced cathode active materials (CAM) for the lithium-ion batteries market, providing high-performance CAM to the world’s largest cell producers and for leading OEM platforms. We complement our portfolio with base metals sourcing and management, as well as various battery recycling solutions, including closed loop offerings. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms and passion for innovation, BASF Battery Materials develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success. Further information 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. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.