TOKYO -- Japanese chemicals manufacturer Asahi Kasei will start making separators for lithium-ion batteries in China with a local partner, betting that fast-growing renewable energy in that market will fuel demand for storage units.
Asahi Kasei will team with Shanghai Energy New Materials Technology to build a factory in the southeast province of Jiangxi next year, President Hideki Kobori told a business briefing Friday. The Chinese partner -- the global leader in separators -- will take a 51% stake while Asahi Kasei will own the rest.
