OREANDA-NEWS. EnerG2, a Seattle-based company manufacturing advanced carbon materials for next-generation energy storage devices, and BASF, the world's leading chemical company, today announced a strategic partnership. EnerG2 and BASF entered into a comprehensive collaboration to improve and scale-up the production of EnerG2's proprietary carbon materials for use in supercapacitor electrodes and as a performance additive in start-stop lead-acid batteries. Both technologies play an important role in short-term energy storage for automotive and industrial applications.

Engineered carbons enhance storage performance by providing higher voltage and energy in supercapacitors and by significantly increasing the charging rate of lead-acid batteries at a partial-state-of-charge. EnerG2's patented carbon technology platform enables large-scale production of carbon materials that surpass the limitations of the carbons traditionally used in energy storage. Controlling the molecular structure and synthesis of these advanced materials at early stages of production provides the ability to tailor the carbon properties to specific applications. This unique manufacturing process results in ultra-high purity material with customizable porosity.

BASF is providing funding, technical expertise, and marketing know-how in a partnership with EnerG2 to enrich its R&D initiatives and to accelerate its market penetration. "This alliance optimally blends EnerG2's innovation and responsiveness with BASF's stability and an unquestionable ability to scale. We will use the funding not only to bolster our operational capacity but also to explore market opportunities with BASF," explains Rick Luebbe, CEO of EnerG2. EnerG2's technology platform complements the in-house activities of BASF's research and development as well as BASF's global business unit for battery materials. Energy storage materials are an essential part of BASF's strategy to enable electromobility. Furthermore, EnerG2 will also work closely with BASF to broaden its global reach, particularly in Asia and Europe.

"We deeply appreciate BASF's strong belief in our company's energy storage vision and in the role that we can play together in the energy storage industry," says Rick Luebbe. "This strategic partnership will be a game-changer: it will enable us to continue serving our customers with the highest purity and highest performing carbon products, but now with the participation of a truly global player. We look forward to exploring a host of additional opportunities with BASF as we deepen our relationship over the coming months and years."

"BASF recognizes the crucial role that carbon materials play in many energy storage devices," explains Dr. Stefan Blank, Managing Director at BASF New Business GmbH. "EnerG2 has outstanding competencies in this field. We know that by partnering with EnerG2 we can and will have a long-term and meaningful role in this emerging and fast-growing global market."