Asahi Kasei Opens Battery Separator Coating Line in North Carolina

Asahi Kasei Expands Wet-Process Separator Production

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Coating Line in Charlotte, North Carolina, officially opened on August 26, marking a significant milestone in Asahi Kasei Corp.’s North American battery separator strategy. The new Hipore wet-process lithium-ion battery separator coating line is the first step toward establishing a regional supply structure for wet-process separators. Commercial production is scheduled to begin in the second half of fiscal 2026. The investment expands production capacity at the company’s existing Celgard manufacturing facility as North American battery demand grows beyond electric vehicles and increasingly includes energy storage systems.

Charlotte Facility Reaches 40-Year Milestone

The grand opening also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Celgard manufacturing facility in Charlotte, which has produced dry-process separators since 1986. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on August 20 brought together representatives of Toyota Tsusho Corp., which has entered into a capacity rights agreement related to the facility, along with other stakeholders involved in the project. The event highlights the company’s effort to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities while positioning separator production closer to customers and battery-related demand in the North American market.

Regional Supply Structure Takes Shape

According to Ryu Taniguchi, President of Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corporation, the investment is intended to bring production capabilities closer to the region’s battery market. The company is also advancing a planned wet-process separator facility in Canada, with construction currently progressing according to plan. Together, the Charlotte coating line and the planned Canadian facility are designed to support a more regionalized supply structure for battery separators. The expansion therefore extends the role of the existing Celgard operation while adding wet-process capability to the company’s North American manufacturing footprint through Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corporation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the new Charlotte separator coating line?
The new Charlotte line marks an important step in building a regional wet-process battery separator supply structure for North America. It expands production capacity at the existing Celgard manufacturing facility and is scheduled to begin commercial production in the second half of fiscal 2026. The investment responds to growing regional battery demand extending beyond electric vehicles into energy storage systems. It also complements the planned wet-process separator facility in Canada, helping bring production capabilities closer to the region’s battery market.