Recently, Asahi Kasei announced that Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Company held a groundbreaking ceremony on November 14 to start construction of a new lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing plant in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada.

Several government officials and Asahi Kasei and Honda executives attended the ceremony. The plant is expected to create more than 300 full-time jobs in the first phase and will be able to produce approximately 700 million square meters of coated lithium-ion battery separators per year.

The plant is expected to begin commercial production in 2027, subject to the approval of relevant departments.

Asahi Kasei has begun recruiting employees locally, and five employees have supported the start-up phase of the project. In September, the company held a community open day at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre in Port Colborne, providing a place for the community to learn about the project and upcoming job opportunities. In addition, Asahi Kasei has begun using provincial companies and contractors for earthwork.