Japanese materials giant Asahi Kasei has partnered with Toyota Tsusho to secure a stable supply of Hipore™ lithium-ion battery (LIB) separators in North America, a move set to bolster the region’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
Under the agreement finalized between their U.S. subsidiaries — Asahi Kasei Battery Separator America (AKBSA) and Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. (TAI) — TAI will receive a preferential share of AKBSA’s production capacity. Starting mid-2027, AKBSA will supply TAI with coated Hipore™ wet-process separators from its new coating facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, now under construction.
The strategic alliance is designed to mitigate market volatility, ensure efficient resource use, and support Toyota Tsusho’s push for a reliable battery supply chain in North America. The collaboration also underscores Asahi Kasei’s efforts to expand its footprint in the EV materials sector.
This alliance fits perfectly with Asahi Kasei’s global growth strategy to build and strengthen a supply chain in North America,” said Ryu Taniguchi, Lead Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei. “Together with Toyota Tsusho, we will build an ecosystem that supports electrification and leads the way to a carbon-neutral future.
Kazuyuki Urata, COO of Toyota Tsusho’s Circular Economy Division, called the tie-up “an important step toward the acceleration of electrification in North America and the realization of a sustainable mobility society.”
The deal comes as demand for EV batteries surges. To meet growth, Asahi Kasei is also advancing plans for a new separator facility in Canada, announced in May 2024. The dual presence in the U.S. and Canada is expected to cement its role as a key player in North America’s evolving battery ecosystem.
With Asahi Kasei’s expertise in functional materials and Toyota Tsusho’s global mobility network, the partnership is set to accelerate adoption of high-quality wet-process separators, enabling higher-performance EVs and advancing the region’s shift toward sustainable mobility.
