BASF acquires lithium iron phosphate technology from Clariant AG

ISELIN, US: BASF, through its global battery materials business unit has signed a long-term licensing agreement to acquire global rights for the production and sale of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials technology from LiFePO4+C Licensing AG, an affiliate of Clariant AG. LiFePO4+C Licensing represents the patent owners for the technology Hydro-Quebec of Universite de Montreal; and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). The commercial production is expected to start from fourth quarter of 2012.

As a result of these initiatives, BASF is building up a broad coverage of battery materials technology to drive the future of electromobility to serve cell and battery manufacturers worldwide. The LFP patent rights associated with BASF’s agreement with LiFePO4+C provide exclusive, worldwide protection for LFP technology; patents on the invention of basic LFP materials; carbon coating patents usable with LFP materials; and carbon coating process patents.

“As a result of our agreement with LiFePO4+C, BASF becomes the only company worldwide that is licensed to produce and market LiB materials by both the Argonne National Laboratory and LiFePO4+C. This provides us with an important competitive advantage and positions to meet the full range of battery materials needs for LiB applications,” said Ralf Meixner, Senior Vice President, Global Battery Materials unit, BASF.

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