BASF and Chinese battery manufacturer Welion announced a significant milestone in bringing semi-solid-state batteries to market. BASF Shanshan Battery Materials (BSBM), BASF’s joint venture in China, has shipped the first cathode active materials (CAM) produced for these batteries to Welion. Details are below.

Semi-solid-state batteries for a new era in energy storage

According to Batteries News, the project, which began in August 2024, has reached this significant milestone in just one year. Using ultra-high nickel and a composite coating, the new CAM aims to address one of the most challenging challenges in solid-state battery development: the unstable interface between cathodes and solid electrolytes. This solution increases energy density, reduces resistance, and extends battery life.

Welion plans to use this material in its next-generation semi-solid-state batteries designed for electric vehicles, large-scale storage systems, and smaller devices such as drones. Semi-solid batteries are seen as a bridge between today’s lithium-ion batteries and the all-solid-state batteries of the future.

This technology, which promises greater safety and durability than traditional batteries, stands out because it is more scalable than all-solid-state batteries. “This is a milestone for our battery materials business,” said Desmond Long, CEO of BSBM. Dr. Jin Xiang, General Manager of Welion, added that BASF’s materials provide a strong foundation for future collaboration.

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