German chemical firm BASF has signed a global deal to license composite cathode materials developed by the US Department of Energy’s (DoE) Argonne National Laboratory. BASF is applying for funding from the American Investment and Reinvestment Act’s Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative and, if approved, plans to build a cathode manufacturing facility in Elyria, Ohio. Financial details of the plant were not disclosed.
BASF will undertake further development of the cathode materials and market them to makers of lithium-ion batteries.
?The transfer of Argonne developed battery technology to BASF provides a stellar example of why DOE invests taxpayer dollars into scientific research and development? says Argonne director, Eric Isaacs. ?When federally-funded R&D is commercialized, it enhances our economic competitiveness, energy security and quality of life through innovations in science and technology.?
The cathode material developed by Argonne comprises lithium and manganese mixed metal oxides which it says increases the operating time between battery charges. The laboratory claims that the combination also enables batteries to charge at a higher voltage which therefore provides a higher energy storage capacity than competing materials.
BASF expects the proposed Ohio manufacturing facility to be the biggest cathode material producer in North America.
