Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corporation has commenced construction on its new lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing facility in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. Scheduled to begin commercial production in 2027, the project remains subject to obtaining necessary permits and approvals from relevant authorities. The facility will operate as a joint venture between Asahi Kasei and Honda, as outlined in the announcement.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on November 14, was attended by government officials and executives from Asahi Kasei and Honda. Once operational, the plant’s first phase is expected to create over 300 full-time jobs and will have an annual production capacity of approximately 700 million square meters of coated lithium-ion battery separator, the company reported.
The coated battery separator is a vital component of the battery that keeps the positive and negative electrodes from touching, preventing short circuits, while allowing lithium ions to pass through, which allows energy to be stored, according to Asahi Kasei. The project will move into visible construction phases in the coming months, including structural development and utility connections to support the building.
“This facility signifies a bold step in advancing innovation in battery technology,” said Koshiro Kudo, president and representative director of Asahi Kasei Corporation. “We are establishing a center of excellence here in Port Colborne that will further position Asahi Kasei as a leader in meeting the growing demand for electric vehicle battery separators across North America, helping drive the energy transition forward with cutting-edge technology.”
