By Cameron Chai
BASF has announced that it will purchase Merck’s electrolytes business for high-performance batteries. Merck is a chemical and pharmaceutical company in Germany.
The products and technologies for improving the performance of the battery are included in this acquisition. The full range of finished electrolyte formulations, marketed under Selectilyte brand, and different varieties of electrolyte additives used in manufacturing lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are included in this acquisition. This business deal covers the research portfolio of Merck regarding new additives and electrolytes. Through the addition of new solutions, the LIB electrolyte business of BASF is being strengthened.
According to Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, BASF’s Research Executive Director and Member of the Board of Executive Directors, this business purchase will provide better knowledge to battery and automotive manufacturers around the globe. The company has highlighted this goal in order to position BASF as a solution-providing partner to battery makers. He added Merck’s electrolyte portfolio and the established market channels will offer further impetus to develop into a consistent electrolyte formulations provider that supplies new and customized solutions to battery producers.
Electrolytes, having complex formulations, confirm the electric charge movement inside the battery. High-quality electrolytes can offer necessary basics for increasing the performance of the battery.
BASF declared the formation of an international electrolytes group in order to expand and sell electrolyte formulations for battery makers, during May 2011. This team will be incorporated to the Battery Materials business unit exist in Catalysts division of BASF in 2012.
Source: http://www.basf.com/