Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Asahi Kasei announced on April 25 that they have reached a basic agreement to collaborate on the production of separators for automotive batteries in Canada. The two companies are considering establishing a joint venture to produce separators for batteries installed in Honda’s EVs (electric vehicles) for the North American market and batteries for other OEMs. The company says it will start concrete discussions with the aim of establishing the company.
The separator, which is an important component of lithium-ion batteries, is a porous membrane that allows lithium ions to pass through and prevents short-circuits by blocking contact between the positive and negative electrode materials. Both companies reached this agreement based on the common recognition that it is important to establish a supply chain that stably supplies high-performance batteries to the North American electric vehicle market, which is expected to grow over the medium to long term. .
Both companies will leverage each other’s strengths, such as high-value-added materials technology and electrification technology, to utilize high-quality separators in in-vehicle batteries to realize high-performance EVs and accelerate efforts toward carbon neutrality. It is said that
Hirokei Matsuyama, Managing Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei, said, “Asahi Kasei positions the energy storage-related business as one of the “10 Growth Gears that will drive the group’s next growth.” Its core business is lithium-ion batteries (LIB). Hypore, a separator for electric motors, has led technological innovation and contributed to the evolution of LIB over its more than 40-year history. By deepening our collaboration with Honda and contributing to the high productivity, high safety, and long life of LIBs required in the era of full-scale electrification, we hope to play a role in the growth of the EV market and energy transition in North America. I’m thinking about it,” he commented.
Manabu Ozawa, Managing Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., said, “Honda has set a goal of increasing the global sales ratio of EVs and FCEVs to 100% by 2040 in order to achieve carbon neutrality.Separators are essential for EVs. It is a very important raw material that contributes to improving the performance and durability of batteries that cannot be used for a long time, and working in partnership with Asahi Kasei, which has high technological capabilities and extensive knowledge, to produce it in Canada is a challenge of great significance for Honda. Through this initiative, we hope to create highly competitive EVs and meet the demand for electrification in the North American market, which is expected to expand in the future.”
Rendering of completed separator factory
Asahi Kasei’s investment scheme in North America
Investment overview of the first phase of Canadian factory
Tags: Honda Asahi Kasei establish joint venture produce separators automotive batteries Canada start concrete discussions aim establishing company Car Watch
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