April 25, 2012
Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
Production of Carbon Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries Commences in Yantai, China
Hitachi Chemical (Yantai) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi
Chemical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President and CEO: Kazuyuki Tanaka; Capital:
15.5 billion yen; hereinafter referred to as "Hitachi Chemical"), in order to
expand business in the field of carbon anode materials for lithium ion batteries
(anode materials) in China, has commenced the mass production of anode materials
in April 2012, after investing approximately 500 million yen to construct a manufacturing
plant for consumer anode materials.
The demand of lithium ion batteries for consumer use is expanding due to their increased usage in tablet computers and smart phones, in addition to laptops and mobile handsets. The consumer use lithium ion batteries market is dominated by Japanese and Korean manufacturers. Driven by increased competition in recent years, prices have continually fallen and a number of battery manufacturers have moved their manufacturing operations to China. Applying the technical capabilities massed as the leading manufacturer of consumer anode materials, Hitachi Chemical Group has established a manufacturing facility in Yantai, Shandong, as the location is close to graphite resources, the main material of anode materials, and is ideally located for the distribution of the product within China as well as export to Korea. The location will also serve as a means of producing a product of high quality and performance while remaining price competitive.
Currently, Hitachi Chemical Group produces consumer anode
materials at Hitachi Chemical Yamazaki Works (Sakuragawa) and Katori Works of
Hitachi Powdered Metals Co., Ltd., while anode materials for eco-friendly vehicles
are mainly produced at Hitachi Chemical Yamazaki Works (Katsuta). Each of these
manufacturing sites supplies both domestic and international customers. The group
aims to expand sales by taking full advantage of the demand from the Chinese
and Korean markets, which are expected to see significant growth, through the
establishment of a consumer anode materials manufacturing facility at Hitachi
Chemical (Yantai) Co., Ltd., which is mainly a post-process site.
Through the development and production of high quality anode materials, Hitachi Chemical Group aims to provide eco-friendly products that contribute to the enrichment of lives and the creation of a better society.
<Outline of Hitachi Chemical (Yantai) Co., Ltd.>
Name: Hitachi Chemical (Yantai) Co., Ltd.
Location: No.1, Fuzhou Rd., Yantai Eco. & Tech. Development Area, Shandong
264006, China
Representative: Yoshihiro Nomura (Chairperson),
Yoshihiro Kikuchi (Managing Director)
Description of Business: Slitting operation of photosensitive dry films for printed wiring
boards and production of carbon anode materials for lithium
ion batteries for consumer use
Capital: US$6.15 million (as of March 2012)
Established: January 24, 2006
Shareholder: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. (100%)
Employees: Approximately 40
= Reference =
Hitachi Chemical (Yantai) Co., Ltd.
