Northvolt gets a competitor in Finland

Northvolt gets now a competitor in Finland when BASF chooses to build a battery factory in Harjavalta. According to both companies' plans, both plants will come into production approximately simultaneously.

Finnish newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet was the first to tell that BASF plans to build a factory in Harjavalta, Finland and that it will be attached to a nickel and cobalt refinery owned by Norilsk Nickel.

The investment is expected to land at around SEK 4 billion. The start of the plant is scheduled for the end of 2020, enabling delivery of approximately 300,000 full electric cars per year with BASF battery materials.

In addition, BASF and Nornickel have signed a long-term, market-based delivery agreement for nickel and cobalt materials from Nornickel's metal refinery. The agreement will provide a local and secure supply of raw materials for battery production in Europe.

BASF also evaluates additional locations in Europe for the construction of new production facilities for battery materials.

"Together with our collaboration with Nornickel, we will create a strong platform that links the efforts between industry leaders in raw materials supply and battery technology and production," said Kenneth Lane, for BASF's Catalysts division.