Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. (TAI) and diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei Battery Separator America, LLC (AKBSA) have established a strategic relationship for the supply of automotive lithium-ion battery (LIB) separators in North America. TAI and AKBSA have finalized a capacity rights agreement for AKBSA to supply Hipore™ wet-process LIB separators to TAI. 

The agreement entitles TAI to a preferential share of AKBSA’s production capacity for Hipore™ LIB separators. Beginning in mid-2027, AKBSA will supply TAI with coated Hipore™ separators from its new coating facility currently under construction in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

TAI will benefit from a stable supply of LIB separators manufactured at the Charlotte plant as it promotes the establishment of a highly stable automotive battery supply chain in North America. In addition, this arrangement allows AKBSA to mitigate the risk of market fluctuations and effectively utilize resources by maintaining high rates of operation.  

By leveraging TAI’s global network and expertise in mobility with AKBSA’s strengths in functional materials, the new relationship will accelerate the adoption of high-quality wet-process separators in the North American battery market and facilitate the manufacture of higher-performance electric vehicles.