BASF and Chinese battery maker Welion say they’ve reached a key step in bringing semi-solid-state batteries to market. BASF Shanshan Battery Materials (BSBM), the company’s joint venture in China, has shipped its first batch of cathode active materials (CAM) for these batteries to Welion.
The project began in August 2024 and hit this milestone in just a year, according to Batteries News. The new CAM uses ultra-high nickel and a composite coating to address one of the toughest problems in solid-state development: the unstable interface between cathodes and solid electrolytes. Fixing that issue improves energy density, reduces resistance, and extends cycle life.
Welion plans to use the material in its next generation of semi-solid-state packs aimed at electric vehicles, large-scale storage, and smaller devices like drones. Semi-solid batteries are seen as a bridge between today’s lithium-ion cells and full solid-state designs. They promise better safety and durability than conventional batteries while being easier to scale than true solid-state.
“This is a milestone for our battery materials business,” said Desmond Long, CEO of BSBM. Welion’s general manager, Dr. Jin Xiang, added that BASF’s materials provide a strong base for further cooperation.
The battery industry is racing to find alternatives that boost range and safety for EVs. Full solid-state remains years away, but semi-solid options are getting closer to production. BASF and Welion’s progress shows the technology is moving out of the lab and into industrial supply chains — an encouraging sign for the next generation of energy storage.
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