Asahi Kasei to Construct a Lithium-ion Battery Separator Plant in Canada

Rhea-AI Summary

Asahi Kasei plans to construct a lithium-ion battery separator plant in Canada, with a significant investment and production capacity slated for 2027. The company has partnered with Honda and secured funding from various sources, including the Development Bank of Japan and government support. This strategic move aims to meet the growing demand for battery separators in North America, particularly for electric vehicles, aligning with Asahi Kasei's growth strategy and commitment to sustainability.

Positive

• Asahi Kasei's investment in the Canadian plant amounts to approximately ¥180 billion, with a production capacity of 700 million m2 per year by 2027.
• The partnership with Honda focuses on establishing a joint venture for manufacturing high-performance Hipore™ separators for electric vehicles in North America.
• Funding from the Development Bank of Japan and expected government support from Canada and Ontario enhance Asahi Kasei's competitiveness in the LIB separator market.
• The company's Energy Storage business, including the Hipore™ separator, is a key growth driver in its medium-term management plan, targeting market expansion and technological innovation.
• Honda's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040 aligns with the partnership's goal of supplying high-performance batteries for the growing EV market in North America.

Negative

• None.

TOKYO & NEW YORK & DÜSSELDORF, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Asahi Kasei announced today that it will construct an integrated plant in Ontario, Canada for the base film manufacturing and coating of Hipore™ wet-process lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator¹. In relation to this plant, Asahi Kasei has concluded a basic agreement with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) and the two parties are currently studying joint investment. Also with regard to the Canadian plant, it has been agreed that Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp.², which is scheduled to be established in October 2024, will receive funding from the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) through the issuance of preferred shares. Furthermore, receipt of financial support from the federal government of Canada and the provincial government of Ontario regarding this investment is expected.

Conceptual image of initial facility (Photo: Business Wire)

Outline of the Canadian investment (plant construction)

1) Location	Ontario, Canada
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 ES Materials Canada Corp., the Canadian separator business company, and E-Materials Canada Corp., the local manufacturing company responsible for plant construction and manufacturing, through ES Materials Holdings Corp., the North American separator business company.

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 Ontario, Canada.

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 Manabu Ozawa, Managing Executive Officer of Honda. “The separator is an extremely important component that contributes to higher performance and durability of batteries that are essential to EVs. We are very excited to partner with Asahi Kasei, having outstanding technological capability and broad expertise regarding separators. This will allow us to realize highly competitive EVs that can meet future growing demand in the North American market.”

“The Hipore™ business will play an important role in Asahi Kasei’s growth over the medium term,” added Hiroyoshi Matsuyama, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei. “Capturing market growth in North America will be essential for us. This partnership with Honda, having a rich track record in the North American automotive market and aggressively electrifying its vehicle lineup, allows us to make a meaningful contribution to improvement of LIB performance in light of anticipated growth in the electric vehicle market and the energy transition in North America.”

3. Financing from DBJ

In constructing a manufacturing plant for Hipore™ separator in Canada, it has been decided that Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp. will receive funding of ¥28 billion by issuing preferred shares to DBJ as a project that enhances the competitiveness of LIB separator business and strengthens LIB components supply capability.

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 Canada and the provincial government of Ontario, through its investment attraction agency, Invest Ontario, in addition to support under the September 2023 memorandum of understanding between Canada and Japan concerning battery supply chains.

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 February 7, 2024.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 48,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its Material sector, comprised of Environmental Solutions, Mobility & Industrial, and Life Innovation, includes a wide array of products from battery separators and biodegradable textiles to engineering plastics and sound solutions. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.

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:

Asahi Kasei America Inc.

Christian OKeefe

christian.okeefe@ak-america.com



Europe Contact:

Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH

Sebastian Schmidt

sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu

Source: Asahi Kasei

FAQ

What is Asahi Kasei planning to construct in Canada?

Asahi Kasei plans to construct a lithium-ion battery separator plant in Ontario, Canada.

What is the total investment amount for the Canadian plant construction?

The total investment amount for the Canadian plant construction is approximately ¥180 billion.

When is the commercial start-up of the plant scheduled?

The commercial start-up of the plant is scheduled for 2027.

Who has Asahi Kasei partnered with for the Canadian plant investment?

Asahi Kasei has partnered with Honda for the Canadian plant investment.

Which government is expected to provide financial support for the investment?

The federal government of Canada and the provincial government of Ontario are expected to provide financial support for the investment.