Asahi Kasei to Provide Battery Separators for Toyota Tsusho in the United States
In a significant move to strengthen the North American battery supply chain, Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei and Toyota Tsusho have entered into a collaboration aimed at supplying battery separators for the region.
Under the terms of the contract, Asahi Kasei will supply coated Hipore separators to Toyota Tsusho for the North American market. The deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-2027, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration.
The production of these separators will take place at Asahi Kasei's plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is currently under construction. The plant, announced in 2023, is set to house a new coating facility, specifically designed for the production of battery separators.
Toyota Tsusho will receive preferential access to Asahi Kasei's battery separator production capacity at its Charlotte plant, as part of a capacity rights agreement. This preferential treatment is expected to help stabilize capacity and resource utilization on the manufacturing side.
The collaboration between the two companies is focused on the supply of battery separators for the North American market, with the goal of establishing a robust supply chain that can meet the growing demand for electric vehicles in the region.
Specific details regarding the order volume or the term of the contract have not yet been disclosed. However, the collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to the development of the electric vehicle industry in North America.
Asahi Kasei's U.S. subsidiaries have signed a contract with Toyota Tsusho for the supply of battery separators, marking the official start of this strategic partnership.
[1] Source: Asahi Kasei Press Release, [date] [2] Source: Toyota Tsusho Press Release, [date]
The collaboration between Asahi Kasei and Toyota Tsusho, as outlined in their respective press releases, aims to strengthen the North American battery supply chain in the finance sector and contribute to the growth of the energy sector through the production of battery separators for the electric vehicle industry. The production process will be located in Asahi Kasei's plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Toyota Tsusho will receive preferential access to the plant's battery separator production capacity, thereby supporting the manufacturing industry.
