The agreement constitutes the successful transfer of a licensing arrangement previously established between Mitsubishi Chemical and the electrolytes business of German chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck. BASF recently acquired Merck’s electrolyte activities, which are now part of BASF’s global Battery Materials business.
Electrolytes are complex formulations that ensure the transport of the electric charge inside the battery. High-quality electrolytes can provide essential prerequisites for raising battery performance. Vinylene Carbonate is an important performance additive that ensures the efficient long-term stability of lithium-ion battery cells.
"This license from Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation adds to our already strong battery materials technology and intellectual property portfolio, supporting our market activities and our long-term objective of becoming the leading provider of functional materials and components to serve cell and battery manufacturers worldwide," said Ralf Meixner, Senior Vice President of BASF’s Global Battery Materials Business.
Innovative materials and functional components are prerequisites for safe, efficient and affordable electromobility. Together with partners in industry and science, BASF is developing materials and technologies for today’s and next generation lithium-ion batteries, as well as future battery systems.
"The license granted to BASF is one of our strategic achievements leveraging our intellectual property, said Mr. Yoshitaka Araki, General Manager of Mitsubishi Chemical’s Battery Materials Department. "Mitsubishi Chemical has granted the Vinylene Carbonate license to some valued customers who wish to achieve critical battery performance. With our advanced research capabilities we will continue strengthening our leading position in the industry."
Mitsubishi Chemical has more than 20 years of experience in the formulated electrolyte business since the inception of the lithium-ion battery industry. Mitsubishi Chemical has established manufacturing sites for formulated electrolytes in North America, Europe and China, where the growth of automotive applications is anticipated.
BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success.
Mitsubishi Chemical’s Battery Materials Division is the integrated supplier of all four materials of the lithium-ion batteries: formulated electrolyte, anode material, cathode material, and separator. Mitsubishi Chemical is committed to developing the battery materials business with advanced material technology, excellent product quality, and global supply network. Mitsubishi Chemical will continue supporting the growth of the lithium-ion battery industry through the development of high-performance materials and sophisticated material combinations.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation is Japan’s leading chemical company and a core operating company of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group. At the Group, we serve our customers by using our chemistry-based technology platforms for the development of a wide range of technologies and products in the fields of performance products, healthcare, and industrial materials. Under the Group philosophy: "Good Chemistry for Tomorrow", we established a new concept, KAITEKI which encompasses sustainability, health, and comfort. We aim to realize a truly sustainable state of comfort, not only for individuals but for society and the earth as a whole, through providing our technologies and products. As the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group, we posted net sales of about ¥3,200 billion in fiscal year ended March 2012 and had more than 53,000 employees as of the end of the year.
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