Recently, BASF entered into a four-party strategic cooperation agreement with Gotion High-tech, China Gas Holdings Limited, and BASF Shanshan, focusing on the research and development of energy storage systems, application of new battery materials, commercialization of energy storage projects, and green energy solutions. Together, they aim to build a closed-loop ecosystem for the new energy industry chain, driving innovation in energy storage technology and promoting the large-scale application of clean energy.
Such a comprehensive collaboration across the entire industry chain is still rare. Each party brings a unique strength to the table: one focuses on battery cell materials, another on battery system materials, a third on battery cell and storage systems, and the fourth on market networks. Specifically:
China Gas is one of China’s largest cross-regional integrated energy suppliers and service providers. Listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, it is primarily engaged in the piped natural gas business. The company is now exploring an innovative “energy storage + biomass” business model, transitioning into a low-carbon and intelligent integrated energy service provider.
Gotion High-tech achieved a total shipment volume of 63 GWh in 2024, with approximately 22 GWh (35%) attributed to energy storage batteries, marking a 200% year-on-year growth. With a global market share of 6%, it ranks seventh worldwide. Revenue reached RMB 7.832 billion, up 12.98% year-on-year, with energy storage accounting for 22.13% of total revenue and a gross profit margin of 21.75%. On May 17, the company launched the world’s largest single-unit energy storage system—the Qianyuan Smart Storage 20 MWh system.
Notably, Gotion is actively advancing in the hot field of solid-state batteries, pursuing both semi-solid and all-solid-state technology routes. As of 2024, it has built a 2 GWh semi-solid production capacity and plans a 12 GWh quasi-solid battery production line. Its G-Yuan battery, representative of this effort, achieves an energy density of 300 Wh/kg with a target range of 1000 km, targeting mid-to-high-end EVs, eVTOL aircraft, and robotics. In all-solid-state development, the Jinshi battery represents the effort, featuring an automotive-grade cell with a single-unit capacity of 70 Ah and a 1000 km range per charge. The first pilot line was completed in 2024, with small-batch vehicle testing planned for 2027 and mass production targeted for 2030.
BASF stands out among global chemical giants for its deep involvement in battery materials and is also increasing its investments in solid-state battery technologies.
In battery pack materials, BASF has developed over 20 high-performance polymer materials. On March 7, BASF signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement with the Yangtze River Delta Physics Research Center and Beijing Weilan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., to jointly develop next-generation solid-state battery packs. These will feature non-metallic components designed using advanced material solutions to enhance lightweighting, thermal safety management, and functionality.
In terms of battery cell materials, BASF has established a “materials–battery–recycling” closed loop. Its cathode active materials (CAM) are mainly from the HED™ CAM series, including NCA (nickel cobalt aluminum oxide), NCM (nickel cobalt manganese oxide), ultra-high nickel CAM, cobalt-free CAM, as well as CAM for lithium-metal and solid-state batteries. In June last year, the second phase of BASF Shanshan’s Changsha site came online, boosting high-nickel cathode material capacity to 100,000 tons per year. It was also among the first to launch 4.45V lithium cobalt oxide and high-nickel solid-state battery materials.
For auxiliary materials, BASF offers water-based binders like Basona® and silicon anode binders such as Licity® 2698. Just days ago, BASF and Group14 jointly released a high-performance silicon-based battery solution, combining the Licity03 binder with SCC5503 material. This significantly boosts battery energy density—up to four times that of traditional graphite anodes—and extends cycle life to over 1,000 cycles at room temperature, accelerating the commercialization of solid-state batteries.
Furthermore, BASF has invested in Fujian Changqing (battery recycling) and Hunan Yongshan Lithium (lithium salt production) to enhance resource efficiency. On June 3, BASF announced the official commissioning of its Schwarzheide Black Mass plant in Germany—one of Europe’s largest commercial black mass facilities. It has an annual processing capacity of 15,000 tons of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap, capable of recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and other critical metals for use in producing cathode active materials (CAM).