U.S.-based battery separator deliveries to Toyota Tsusho by Asahi Kasei are confirmed
Asahi Kasei, a Japanese chemical giant, and Toyota Tsusho, a subsidiary of the automaker Toyota, have agreed on a partnership to supply battery separators to the North American market. The U.S. subsidiaries of both companies have signed an agreement, with the production source for these separators being Asahi Kasei’s new coating plant in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The partnership involves Asahi Kasei's Battery Separator America unit providing Hipore wet-process coated separator films starting from mid-2027. The Charlotte separator plant, which is under construction, will be the production source for these separators. This plant is strategically located near Toyota Tsusho’s battery plant in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Toyota Tsusho America has preferential rights to the production capacity of this Charlotte plant under the contract. Regarding specifics on order volume and contract duration, the publicly available information does not disclose exact numerical details about the order volume nor the length of the contract. However, the partnership supports Toyota's plan to reach up to 30 GWh annual battery cell production capacity by 2030 in their North American battery manufacturing. This suggests a medium- to long-term supply relationship aligned with market growth projections.
The shipment of coated Hipore separators is scheduled to begin in 2027. The partnership's objectives include the development of a North American battery supply chain, the stabilization of production utilization, and resource usage. The agreement does not specify the volume or frequency of the shipments.
In summary, the partnership between Asahi Kasei and Toyota Tsusho aims to supply battery separators to the North American market. The supply starts mid-2027 from the Charlotte plant, aligning with Toyota’s goal of 30 GWh battery production capacity by 2030. Toyota Tsusho America holds preferential rights to production capacity, and the contract appears to be designed for long-term collaboration, tied to Tesla’s electrification goals and battery production ramp-up through 2030. The exact contract length and order volume are not publicly disclosed but imply a multi-year commitment to serve expanding EV battery demand in North America.
- The manufacturing industry, represented by Asahi Kasei's Battery Separator America unit, will produce Hipore wet-process coated separator films for the North American market, starting from mid-2027, as part of a partnership with Toyota Tsusho.
- The financing sector, with Toyota Tsusho America holding preferential rights to the production capacity of the Charlotte plant, is involved in this partnership, which supports Toyota's goal of reaching 30 GWh annual battery cell production capacity by 2030.
- The energy sector, in the form of the partnership's objective to develop a North American battery supply chain, is linked to the strategic growth and expansion of the EV market in the region, given the long-term commitment implied by the partnership.
