Japanese technology group Asahi Kasei has initiated the construction of its battery separator plant in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The facility aims to strengthen the North American supply chain for batteries and electric vehicles. The plant will produce separators for lithium-ion batteries, primarily supplying electric vehicles manufactured at Honda’s upcoming electric car factory also in Ontario. To operate the separator plant, Asahi Kasei and Honda have formed a joint venture.
Scheduled to begin commercial production in 2027, pending necessary approvals from authorities, the plant is expected to create around 300 full-time jobs. It will have an annual production capacity of approximately 700 million square meters of coated lithium-ion battery separators.
“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.”
Announced earlier in April, the Port Colborne plant represents an investment of about one billion euros. It will be Canada’s first large-scale facility dedicated to producing wet separators—critical components in lithium-ion batteries that prevent short circuits by separating the anode and cathode. These separators also contribute to higher energy density and longer battery life, which are essential for advancing electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Source: Electrive
