Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei and automaker Honda Motor have agreed to collaborate on the production of lithium-ion battery separators in Canada.
The two companies plan to convert E-Materials Canada into a joint venture, to be tentatively renamed Asahi Kasei Honda Battery Separator, in which Honda Canada will acquire a 25% stake. Honda will invest a total of approximately C$417 million ($300 million) in the venture.
Honda Motor previously announced plans to build out an EV production chain in Canada with an approximate investment of CAD$15 billion ($11 billion).
The integrated plant for the base film manufacturing and coating of Asahi Kasei’s Hipore lithium-ion battery separator will have a production capacity of approximately 700 million m² per year. The companies plan to start operating the JV in early 2025, and start commercial production in 2027.
“At the beginning of October we launched Asahi Kasei Battery Separator as a new company for the Hipore separator business to achieve more nimble management for this essential component of lithium-ion batteries,” said Ryu Taniguchi, President and Representative Director at Asahi Kasei Battery Separator. “Our partnership will not only establish a stable supply of separators in North America, together we will enhance battery performance and durability to advance the energy transition.”
Source: Honda Motor