Asahi Kasei to Construct a Lithium-ion Battery Separator Plant in Canada
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Conceptual image of initial facility (Photo: Business Wire)
Outline of the Canadian investment (plant construction)
1) Location |
|
2) Plant overview |
Integrated plant for the base film manufacturing and coating of Hipore™ lithium-ion battery separator |
3) Total investment amount |
Approximately ¥180 billion |
4) Production capacity |
Approximately 700 million m2 per year (as coated film) |
5) Start of operation |
Commercial start-up scheduled in 2027 |
The necessary funds for this investment will be provided to
1. The separator business in Asahi Kasei
Asahi Kasei positions its Energy Storage related business as one of the "10 Growth Gears" (GG10) expected to drive future growth in its medium-term management plan for fiscal 2024, which is focused on the theme "Be a Trailblazer." The core of its Energy Storage business is Hipore™ wet-process LIB separator, which has been leading technological innovation based on over 40 years of business history, and is currently expanding its sales in automotive applications in addition to consumer electronics applications.
To meet North American demand for battery separator for plug-in electric vehicles and to join North American LIB supply chains being established, in part as an effect of governmental clean energy policies, the decision was made to construct an LIB separator manufacturing plant in
2. Basic agreement with Honda
Asahi Kasei and Honda have reached a basic agreement based on the shared understanding that it is essential to establish a supply chain for the stable supply of high-performance batteries for the North American plug-in electric vehicle market, which is expected to grow over the medium to long term. Studies are advancing for the establishment of a joint venture to manufacture Hipore™ separator for batteries installed in EVs made by Honda and other vehicle manufacturers for the North American market.
“To achieve carbon neutrality, Honda is targeting 100% of global sales from EVs and FCVs by 2040,” said
“The Hipore™ business will play an important role in Asahi Kasei’s growth over the medium term,” added
3. Financing from DBJ
In constructing a manufacturing plant for Hipore™ separator in
4. Financial and Other Government Support
Asahi Kasei strives to achieve adequate production scale in accordance with market expansion while reducing investment risk, and expects to receive financial support from the federal government of
Please refer to the presentation material for specifics.
1 A lithium-ion battery separator is a microporous membrane that provides a barrier between the positive and negative electrodes of a lithium-ion battery, allowing lithium ions to pass through while preventing short circuits.
2 Please refer to the press release “Transfer of lithium-ion battery separator business by corporate separation (simplified absorption-type separation)” dated
About Asahi Kasei
Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240424712056/en/
North America Contact:
christian.okeefe@ak-america.com
Europe Contact:
sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu
Source: Asahi Kasei