Asahi Kasei to Build Lithium-ion Battery Separator Plant in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada

On May 15, 2024, Asahi Kasei announced the construction of its integrated lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator plant in Port Colborne, located in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada. The upcoming manufacturing plant, designated as Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada, is expected to generate highly skilled and well-compensated employment opportunities in both manufacturing and construction sectors. Commercial production is expected to commence in 2027.

Koshiro Kudo, President & Representative Director of Asahi Kasei Corporation, attended the location announcement event and stated, “With the rising demand for electric vehicles and the lithium-ion batteries that power them, we are excited to establish the first Hipore™ wet-process lithium-ion separator manufacturing facility in Canada. Supported by the abundant renewable resources, skilled talent, and strong local community backing in Port Colborne, this facility will enhance our ability to serve partners in the region and the broader North American automotive market.”

The Hipore™ wet-process separators, to be manufactured at the Port Colborne facility, are considered as one of the most intricately engineered and essential components of lithium-ion batteries utilized in electric vehicles and various energy storage applications.

As of April 25, 2024, Asahi Kasei unveiled its plan for an initial investment totaling about 180 billion JPY (equivalent to CAD$ 1.56 billion) to establish approximately 700 million square meters of annual Hipore™ separator capacity at the new Canadian facility.

The project will be supported by the provincial government of Ontario through its investment attraction agency, Invest Ontario, and will also take advantage of the federal government’s recently introduced Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (ITC).

As a diversified group of companies operating in the Material, Homes, and Health Care sectors, the Asahi Kasei Group contributes to enhancing life and well-being worldwide. Established in Japan in 1922, Asahi Kasei boasts over a century of manufacturing expertise and is renowned for its pioneering work in battery-related technology. At the heart of its Energy Storage business lies the lithium-ion battery separator, a microporous membrane that effectively separates the positive and negative electrodes within the battery, thus preventing short circuits while facilitating the passage of lithium ions from one side of the battery to the other. The Asahi Kasei Group has maintained continuous growth by actively adapting its business portfolio to address the changing needs of each era. Consistently, Asahi Kasei has delivered products and services that address diverse environmental and social challenges. Operating across three key sectors—Material, Homes, and Health Care—the Asahi Kasei Group is committed to providing innovative solutions.