Chemetall partners with Londian Wason to implement Gardolene D, a chromium- and fluoride-free passivation technology enhancing copper foil sustainability and performance.
Chemetall, the global surface treatment business unit of BASF Coatings and a leading innovator in advanced surface treatment technologies, has entered into a strategic partnership with Londian Wason (Shenzhen) Holdings Group Co., Ltd., a prominent name in the new energy and electronic materials industry and one of the largest global manufacturers of lithium battery copper foils.
This collaboration focuses on the development and implementation of Chemetall’s latest Gardolene® D passivation technology, which is both chromium-free and fluoride-free. The partnership represents a key milestone in the ongoing global shift toward greener, more sustainable industrial solutions, aligning with the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems, particularly in China and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Under this agreement, Chemetall and Londian Wason will jointly advance the use of Gardolene® D, a pioneering surface treatment that eliminates environmentally harmful substances while enhancing the performance and reliability of copper foils used in EV batteries and energy storage systems. The technology ensures superior corrosion resistance and improved adhesion of anode active materials, resulting in lower electrical resistivity and higher battery efficiency.
Frank Naber, Senior Vice President of Global Surface Treatment at BASF Coatings, highlighted the importance of this alliance, stating that Londian Wason is the first customer in China to adopt the new Gardolene D technology. He emphasized that this breakthrough not only strengthens Chemetall’s leadership in surface treatment innovation but also plays a critical role in accelerating the green transformation of the energy and mobility sectors. “Our solution helps partners like Londian Wason meet their sustainability targets while improving the performance of next-generation batteries and energy systems,” he noted.
Guangling Zhou, CEO of Londian Wason Group, expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing that combining Chemetall’s world-class innovation with Londian Wason’s two decades of expertise in copper foil manufacturing will drive significant technological and environmental progress. “Together, we are setting new industry benchmarks for sustainable development and advanced material performance,” Zhou said.
Evelyn Shen, Vice President of Chemetall Asia Pacific, further added that China’s dominance in electric vehicle and battery production makes it a vital market for this collaboration. “We are proud to strengthen our footprint in Asia through this partnership, which will accelerate market adoption of sustainable surface treatment technologies,” she explained.
The Gardolene D technology stands out as the industry’s first chromium- and fluoride-free passivation solution for copper foils, offering compatibility with existing production lines and suitability for both electro-deposited and rolled annealed copper foils. Batteries using Gardolene D-treated copper foils have demonstrated up to a 6% increase in lifespan after 1,000 cycles at 25°C, a substantial improvement over traditional chromium (VI)-based methods.
This strategic partnership underscores both companies’ shared commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and advancing cleaner energy technologies for the future.
