Japanese technology group Asahi Kasei has commenced construction of a battery separator plant in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The facility, to be operated as a joint venture with Honda, aims to bolster the North American supply chain for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries.
The plant will produce separators for lithium-ion batteries, primarily for electric vehicles manufactured at Honda’s upcoming EV factory in Ontario. Commercial production is slated to begin in 2027, pending regulatory approvals. The factory will have an annual production capacity of approximately 700 million square meters of coated lithium-ion battery separators and is expected to create around 300 full-time jobs.
“This facility signifies a bold step in advancing innovation in battery technology,” said Koshiro Kudo, President 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.”
The project, announced in April, represents an investment of approximately €1 billion and will be Canada’s first large-scale facility for producing wet separators. These separators are critical components in lithium-ion batteries, providing insulation between the anode and cathode to prevent short circuits. They also enhance battery performance by enabling higher energy density and extending service life—key elements for advancing electric vehicle adoption and energy storage solutions.
The collaboration between Asahi Kasei and Honda underscores a growing commitment to strengthening North America’s EV infrastructure, positioning Ontario as a pivotal hub in the energy transition.