German chemical firm BASF is partnering with Arizona-based Sion Power to commercialise lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery technology. The pair will develop battery materials to improve the battery life and energy density of the Li-S technology, which was developed by Sion. The batteries will be targeted at the electric vehicle market.
?It is clear that Sion’s technology offers high potential for significantly longer driving ranges over other technologies currently being considered for electric vehicles,? says BASF Future Business CEO, Dr Thomas Weber. ?We see a clear need for higher energy densities of the storage devices, and we will join forces with Sion to bring this technology to the market using innovative solutions. In combination with the lithium-ion battery consortium 'HE-Lion' that we have formed recently, we further strengthen our efforts to advance battery technology.? Last month, HE-Lion, a consortium led by BASF, received EUR21m (USD28.4m) in funding from the German Ministry for Education and Research. The group plans to develop lithium-ion batteries for application in plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles. BASF’s partners in the consortium include Bosch and SGL Carbon.
