Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

 

Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. ("MPI"; head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; president: Hiroshi Yoshida) and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation ("MCC"; head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; president: Yoshimitsu Kobayashi) have jointly developed a separator for lithium-ion secondary batteries, demand for which has grown tremendously in recent years.

MPI actively develops materials for the fields of electronics and alternative energy. It began developing separators for lithium-ion secondary batteries in 2003, and has been conducting joint development since 2006 with MCC, which manufactures and sells materials for lithium-ion secondary batteries (electrolytic fluid, cathodes, and anodes).
MPI has already installed pilot mass-production equipment for the separators at its Nagahama Plant (Nagahama-shi, Shiga Prefecture), and has begun offering samples. MPI has now invested a further ¥1 billion as it moves toward mass production, installing production capacity of 12 million m2/year. It plans to begin production in summer 2009, and aims for full-scale adoption by the end of fiscal 2009.
The separators to be produced by MPI were developed leveraging the material-design, film-fabrication, and other technologies built up by MPI over many years. The film resolves past issues with wet and dry methods, and controls the high-order structure of the pores. It features a good balance of battery properties and mechanical strength, including low-temperature output and cycle lifetime. MPI also plans to expand its lineup with separators having greater heat resistance, which is related to battery safety.

Meanwhile, MCC was in charge of battery performance evaluation and market development for the present development project. It has begun selling the separator alongside its lineup of other previously commercialized parts and materials for lithium-ion secondary batteries (electrolytic fluid, cathodes, and anodes).

Both companies are actively committed to growing the lithium-ion secondary battery business of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group. They will continue their collaboration in the development, manufacture, and sale of parts and materials for lithium-ion secondary batteries in such consumer applications as mobile phones, notebook computers, and other small portable electronic devices, as well as power tools. They will also advance development of parts and materials for lithium-ion secondary batteries for use in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), for which future growth in demand is expected.

 

 

 

 

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	Public Relations Section General Administration Dept. Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. Tel: +81-3-3279-3800 Public Relations & IR Section Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Tel: +81-3-6414-3730