BASF to present "Solutions for E-cars" seminar at The Battery Show in Novi, Detroit, Michigan

FLORHAM PARK, NJ, October 18, 2011 – On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, BASF will present a seminar titled "Solutions for E-cars: Enhancing Energy Density - Cost Position - Driving Range," highlighting the latest chemical research innovations that are helping electromobility to make its breakthrough. The seminar will be held from 2:30 - 4 p.m. in the Garnet Room at “The Battery Show” (www.thebatteryshow.com), a trade expo taking place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Detroit, Michigan. All attendees of The Battery Show are welcome to join the seminar.

Participants will learn about the latest developments and future direction of cathode materials and electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, as well as plastics and polyurethanes for battery packs in a series of presentations, including:

• “What chemistry can do for E-cars in the short and long term,” Dr. Phillip Hanefeld, Global Marketing and Strategy Manager – BASF Battery Materials
• “Novel cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries,” Dr. Kirill Bramnik, Global Product Technology Manager – BASF Battery Materials
• “High purity electrolyte solutions to meet demands in automotive applications,” Dr. Megan O’Meara, Market Development Manager, BASF Electrolytes
• “Engineering Plastics Solutions for batteries and E-cars,” LeeAnn Dombrowski, Battery Segment Manager, BASF Engineering Plastics
• “Novel thermal insulation solutions to extend the lifetime of battery packs,” Steven Hicks, Market Development Manager, BASF Polyurethanes

“BASF products and research activities are substantially contributing to the effort to make electric cars affordable and sustainable,” says Hanefeld. “A key focus is on improving battery performance going forward. In addition, innovative components to improve the energy efficiency of electric vehicles, such as lightweight composites and intelligent heat management systems, are needed to achieve a greater driving range with less weight and lower costs at the system level.”

Batteries are a key enabling technology for the electromobility of the future. Over the next five years, BASF will be investing a three-digit million euro sum in researching, developing and producing advanced battery materials. Part of this investment is being channeled into construction of a production plant for advanced cathode materials in Elyria, Ohio. This new facility, with an investment volume of more than $50 million, is scheduled to supply the market with cathode materials for the production of high-performance lithium-ion batteries beginning in the third quarter of 2012.

“Cathode composition, structure and morphology influence battery power and energy density, safety and cost,” says Bramnik. “New cathode materials show significant improvements in these key attributes.”

In addition to innovative materials for cathodes, BASF has recently entered the field of electrolyte development. Electrolytes are complex formulations that are essential for the transport of ions inside batteries. High-quality electrolytes are prerequisites for improving the battery performance.

“The Battery Show marks BASF’s North American debut for our electrolytes,” said O’Meara. “High purity, custom electrolyte formulations can offer significant performance advantages.”

BASF solutions for batteries also extend beyond the battery cell.  For example, plastics are already widely used in lithium-ion battery packs as they naturally serve to electrically isolate key components.

“Beyond electrical insulation, new developments in composites offer the possibility of lightweighting, thereby improving range,” says Dombrowski. “This can create other demands for materials in the battery pack to provide properties for crash resistance, thermal management, electrical shielding and flame resistance.” 

The resulting range improvement can be further extended if the automaker chooses to take advantage of BASF’s already proven light-weight/crash-resistant applications throughout the entire vehicle, which can include superior combinations of materials, such as engineering plastics and urethanes. Although composites already contribute greatly to vehicular weight savings when incorporated in the chassis, interior and engine compartment, further multifunctional lightweight construction concepts are needed.

"In addition to composites for lightweighting, our polyurethane products can provide novel thermal insulation solutions," said Hicks. “These thermal insulation solutions can extend the lifetime of battery packs.”

BASF believes that through the combined efforts of industry, government, science and society as a whole, electromobility will become an increasingly affordable and sustainable alternative to the classic internal combustion technology.

BASF - The Chemical Company.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.7 billion in 2010. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

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