Asahi Kasei, a diversified global manufacturer, and Toyota Tsusho have formed a strategic partnership for the supply of automotive lithium-ion battery (LIB) separators in North America. Their subsidiaries, Asahi Kasei Battery Separator America LLC (AKBSA) and Toyota Tsusho America Inc. (TAI), have reached a capacity rights agreement, allowing AKBSA to supply its patented Hipore wet-process LIB separators to TAI.

Under this agreement, TAI will receive a preferential share of AKBSA's production capacity, with the supply scheduled to begin in mid-2027 from AKBSA's new coating facility in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The collaboration aims to mitigate market fluctuation risks for Asahi Kasei and ensure effective resource utilization and high operational rates. Toyota Tsusho will benefit from a stable supply of LIB separators from the Charlotte plant, supporting the development of an automotive battery supply chain in North America.

The partnership is set to advance the integration of high-quality wet-process separators in the North American battery market, enhancing the performance of electric vehicles.

Ryu Taniguchi, lead executive officer of Asahi Kasei, emphasized that this alliance aligns with Asahi Kasei's growth strategy in North America, focusing on medium- to long-term opportunities in the electrified vehicle market.

Kazuyuki Urata, COO of Toyota Tsusho's Circular Economy Division, remarked that the partnership is crucial for accelerating electrification and fostering a sustainable mobility society in North America.

Toyota Tsusho will utilize its global network and mobility expertise to build a reliable automotive LIB supply chain, supporting the increase in electrified vehicles and reducing their environmental impact.

To address the rising demand in North America, Asahi Kasei is progressing with plans to establish a battery separator facility in Canada, as announced in May 2024. This development is part of Asahi Kasei's medium-term management plan to expand its separator business, particularly focusing on Hipore wet-process separators in North America.

Establishing the Canadian facility alongside the US plants will strengthen Asahi Kasei's presence in the expanding battery ecosystem in North America.

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