BASF and Eramet Cancel Plans on Nickel-Cobalt Refining Complex in Indonesia

BASF announced that it will not pursue plans for a potential investment in a nickel-cobalt refining complex in Weda Bay, Indonesia. In 2020, BASF and Eramet, a global mining and metallurgical group, signed an agreement to jointly assess the potential of such a project.

“After a thorough evaluation, we have concluded that we will not execute the nickel-cobalt refining project in Weda Bay. Since the inception of the project, the global nickel market has changed significantly. In particular, the supply options have evolved and with that BASF’s availability of battery grade nickel. Consequently, BASF no longer sees the need to make such a substantial investment to ensure a resilient metals supply for its battery materials business,” explained Anup Kothari, member of the board of executive directors of BASF. The company will stop all ongoing evaluation and negotiation activities for the project in Weda Bay, BASF said.

“A secure, responsible and sustainable supply of critical raw materials for the production of precursor cathode active materials, which may also originate from Indonesia, remains crucial for the future development of our battery materials business,” added Daniel Schönfelder, president of BASF’s Catalysts division.

BASF’s battery materials business operates a dedicated sourcing team, which focuses on metals and precursor management as well as trading and has already developed a robust network of partners to ensure a resilient supply of critical raw materials necessary for its growing global cathode active materials business.

Eramet said that it will continue to evaluate potential investments in the nickel electric vehicle battery value chain in Indonesia.