BASF Targets High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery Market

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Global chemical company BASF has developed a new cathode binder series, Licity®, to respond to the rapidly growing electric vehicle battery market, especially lithium-ion battery technology.

The electric vehicle market, with its high potential, is currently one of the most prominent sectors. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), approximately 2.1 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in 2019, with more than half of these sales occurring in China. The Chinese government is actively implementing eco-friendly vehicle policies, which is accelerating the strengthening of lithium-ion battery technology among global automotive OEMs and battery companies. To survive in highly competitive markets such as Korea, China, and Japan, OEM companies are investing in building large-scale production bases in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Developed to respond to such rapid market growth and changing customer demands, BASF’s Licity binder increases battery capacity and charge-discharge cycle counts while reducing charging time. It also enhances battery performance in low-temperature environments, offers high adhesion, and is compatible with various active materials. The customizable Licity binder provides binder products suitable for various applications, including pure graphite cathode materials or cathode materials with added silicon.

The Licity binder is based on an aqueous styrene-butadiene copolymer and has a very low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, contributing to sustainability. Additionally, by utilizing a biomass balance approach that replaces fossil fuels in the production process with renewable raw materials extracted from organic waste and vegetable oils, the environmental impact can be further reduced. In this way, BASF places importance not only on economic aspects but also on environmental and social responsibility from raw material production to supply to customers in the production of Licity cathode binders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.