On August 29, 2025, BASF said its BASF Shanshan Battery Materials joint venture delivered the first mass-produced cathode active materials (CAM) for semi-solid-state batteries to WELION New Energy. The collaboration moved from concept to series supply in just one year. Fast for this category.
BASF frames it as a step toward industrialization and says solid-state batteries (including semi-solid) are widely viewed as the next generation. Initial batches are already with the customer.
Higher energy density and safety are the big draw. Solid electrolytes are far less flammable than organic liquids. And faster charge over a broader temperature window is also on the table.
BASF says its team developed an ultra-high-nickel NCM CAM with a composite coating. The design targets the cathode–solid-electrolyte interface. That’s where resistance growth and side reactions often start in semi-solid and all-solid designs. The coating supports energy-density goals. It also stabilizes the interface to protect cycle and calendar life as volumes scale.
For manufacturing, how this CAM behaves on real lines is important. Semi-solid formats use less liquid. Instead, they lean on interface stability. In practice, that puts a premium on particle morphology and micro-crack control. Surface chemistry must survive mixing, coating, drying, and calendering without raising impedance. With first batches now delivered, the new CAM technology can enter customer production environments for process tuning and qualification. An incremental step toward broader industrialization.
The materials step is supported by thermal history. After precursor synthesis, calcination/anneal sets crystal structure and nickel valence states. Controlled cooling guides grain growth and mechanical strength, influencing impedance and life. On the electrode line, binder removal and solvent drying call for tight temperature uniformity and airflow to preserve porosity and adhesion. This helps the cathode maintain a stable interface with semi-solid electrolytes. Consistent, well-controlled profiles reduce variability and scrap. They also support repeatable, coating-friendly surfaces, and keep throughput predictable as CAM moves from pilot to volume.
Image & article source: BASF
