BASF, IOPLY and Welion sign cooperation agreement to pioneer next-generation solid-state battery pack

• Non-metallic components to be designed using material solutions for enhanced lightweighting, thermal safety management, and functionality

Shanghai, China - March 7, 2025 - BASF, Yangtze River Delta Physics Research Center Co., Ltd. (IOPLY), and Beijing WELION New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (WELION New Energy) have signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement to develop the next-generation solid-state battery pack, incorporating non-metallic components designed with advanced material solutions to enhance lightweighting, thermal safety management, and functionality.

“As a leading OEM of solid-state batteries globally, we will apply our design as a demonstration project for solid-state battery vehicles in the near future,” said Mr. Huigen Yu, Chairman of Welion New Energy, who will lead the cell and battery system design.  

BASF will provide expertise and resources for the development of materials for non-metallic components in the schematic design. Dr. Jeffrey Lou, President and Chairman of BASF Greater China, said, “BASF is committed to enabling green transformation in China, with our academia and business partners. This collaboration with IOPLY and Welion New Energy presents a unique opportunity to deepen our integration into the country’s rapidly evolving new energy industry, driving transformative advancements in electric vehicle technologies, particularly in solid-state battery innovations.” Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President of Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF, added, “This partnership is a strategic leap forward in our commitment to driving material innovation in the new energy vehicle (NEV) and solid-state battery industry, as well as positioning ourselves as leaders in the sustainable energy transition together with IOPLY and Welion New Energy.”

In addition to our current products, which cover NEV applications including traction batteries, charging systems, battery energy storage system (BESS), and electric powertrains, BASF is expanding its product portfolio to meet the requirements for next-generation solid-state batteries.

IOPLY will provide academic support as part of the cooperation agreement. Dr. Jiangping Hu, Deputy Director of the Institute of Physics at CAS, IOPLY, said, “Since the founding of the BASF-IOPLY joint research center for eMobility and energy storage (BIRC) in July 2023, we have inaugurated joint labs in Liyang, Jiangsu province and conducted fruitful collaborative research projects. This agreement will push the boundaries of solid-state battery packs, making it safer and more efficient.”

In 2024, BASF, IOPLY, and Welion co-created a concept solid-state battery pack to showcase various BASF solutions for lightweighting, thermal management, safety, sustainability, and functionality. The concept solid-state battery pack was first presented at the China EV100 forum in Beijing Diaoyutai.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division leads the transformation of the plastics industry by merging sustainability with a competitive edge. Our broad material competencies and product portfolio, backed by deep industry knowledge and understanding, make us the ideal one-stop-shop. With dedicated material-focused teams and strong R&D power, we constantly deliver industry-leading technologies and expertise to our customers worldwide. Our global network ensures a competitive advantage through superior innovations, regional proximity, and tailor-made solutions that meet local market demands. We are committed to enhancing performance and efficiency across sectors such as automotive, consumer goods, industrial applications, and construction. With BASF, our partners embark on #OurPlasticsJourney towards a more circular and sustainable future. In 2024, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.8 billion. Join #OurPlasticsJourney on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/basf-performance-materials/ and in our newsletter https://plastics-rubber.basf.com/global/en/performance_polymers/plastics-journey-newsletter