Energy-efficient, low-cost superconducting cable system developed by NEDO and SWCC installed at BASF’s Totsuka Site starts operation

Tokyo, Japan – November 11, 2020 – BASF and partners have recently made a crucial step forward in the world’s first demonstration test of a three-phase coaxial superconducting cable system at a working commercial production site, the BASF site in Totsuka. Since June 2019, BASF has been supporting the groundbreaking demonstration test of a low-cost superconducting cable system developed by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a governmental organization that promotes the development of new energy technologies, and SWCC SHOWA CABLE SYSTEMS CO., LTD (SWCC), a leading Japanese cable system manufacturer. The companies successfully installed the three-phase coaxial superconducting cable system replacing the existing cable system of 6.6kV over a length of approximately 200 meters and confirmed the stable power supply on November 8, 2020. 

The system aims to save energy by using the existing cold energy in the plant while reducing transmission loss, which is in line with BASF’s commitment to creating chemistry for a sustainable future. Through this verification test, BASF, together with NEDO and SWCC, will assess the energy efficiency and effectiveness of superconducting cables in upgrading plant infrastructure, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing power loss from new energy sources, with the aim of early commercialization.

 

Further information is available at:

l  NEDO’s Press Release on November 11, 2020 (Japanese only):

https://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_101377.html

 

l  Former Press Release of BASF in June 2019:

https://www.basf.com/jp/en/media/news-releases/jp/2019/06/NEDO-BASF.html

 

About BASF in Japan

BASF has been a committed partner to Japan since 1888.  Operating both production sites as well as research and development facilities in Japan, BASF contributes to the success of Japanese customers nationwide as well as globally by providing products and solutions to nearly all industries. These include the automotive, construction, pharmaceutical, medical, electronics, electric, packaging, personal and home care, agriculture and food industries. As of the end of 2019, BASF employed 1,102 employees in Japan, and recorded sales of about €1.8 billion to customers in the country. Further information is available on the internet at www.basf.com/jp.

 

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 117,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.