BASF launches polyisobutene binder for EV battery assembly
Last update on Jun 11, 2026
Battery engineers and formulators working on next-generation solid-state battery (SSB) architectures can now evaluate Oppanol N PLUS, a polyisobutene (PIB)-based binder grade introduced by BASF and presented at The Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, running June 9–11, 2026 (Hall 5, Booth A20).
BASF positions the grade as engineered for cathode, anode, and electrolyte applications in advanced battery concepts, where binder performance requirements extend beyond those of conventional lithium-ion systems.
Offers high elasticity with extensibility
According to BASF, Oppanol N PLUS is built on the company's existing polyisobutene (PIB) platform and has been reformulated to meet tighter specification tolerances. The supplier reports that the grade's high elasticity and extensibility allow it to compensate for mechanical stress during charge/discharge cycling — a property the company associates with improved battery lifetime and dimensional stability.
View technical datasheet of Oppanol® grades by BASF >>
BASF indicates that chemical inertness is a key attribute, limiting unwanted side reactions within the cell assembly.
The supplier specifies the following process-level implications of the narrower grade specifications:
- reduced variability in production processes
- lower reformulation burden at the customer site
- reduced quality control overhead
- more stable and faster process adjustments
Enhanced supply flexibility
BASF reports enhanced supply flexibility for this grade: fresh material supplied directly from stock, with packaging options starting at 20 kg. The company states this is intended to support battery manufacturers and OEMs in qualifying the grade within their development workflows.
The introduction of Oppanol N PLUS coincides with the 95th anniversary of BASF's polyisobutene research. According to BASF, the original PIB polymerization process was demonstrated in 1931 and industrialized by 1938. The Oppanol product family is currently used across a range of applications including adhesive formulations, insulating glass, cable insulation, roofing membranes, and pipeline coatings, in addition to the battery sector.