New inroads into the lithium-ion secondary battery cathode materials business; JV with HC Starck

Chisso Corporation (President: Shunichi Okada; Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has decided to advance into the lithium ion secondary battery cathode materials market, an area showing spectacular growth.

 

The lithium ion battery is expected to be in practical use in order to prevent the global warming and energy conservation as soon as possible, and  especially anticipated to see substantial growth in production for electric cars. In order to meet these needs, Chisso has established a joint-venture with H.C. Starck (CEO: Dr. Andreas Meier; Head Office: Germany), bestowing upon the JV Company the production technology and know-how developed by both companies so that the JV Company will undertake the manufacture and sale of the products and carry out research and development in the related technology fields. 

 

The cathode material which the JV aims to enter the business is expected to have a great potential for the electric car application, thanks to its ultimate superiority both in the capacity and safety.

 

Both companies will sign the JV Agreement on September 9 and establish the JV Company in the course of September. Construction of the production facilities, with its capacity of 1,000t/year,  will commence in the Chisso Minamata Factory premises in October for completion scheduled for January 2012.

 

 Chisso stakes its future on the new business related to  the energy and environment and aiming at the creation of the next generation business.  In the field of the lithium-ion battery market, we also undertakes the development of separator with super flexibility and strength, and further development around this area will expand our business area.

 We also make every possible effort to contribute to the regional development and promotion of Minamata and Ashikita areas through this venture and other possible business expansion.

 

 

[Outline of the Joint-Venture Company]

 

(1)Company name                  CS Energy Materials Ltd.

 

(2) President and CEO            Chisso

 

(3)Head Office Location          In the Chisso Head Office Build

(Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

 

(4) Capitalization fund              350 million yen

 

(5) Equity share                     Chisso (Co., Ltd. )51%

H.C. Starck 49%

 

(6) Composition Board of Directors       

Chisso: 2 persons – HC Starck: 2 persons

 

(7) Production site                  In the Chisso (Co., Ltd.)

Minamata Works premises

 

 

[Outline of the HC Starck Company]

 

(1) Company name                 H.C. Starck GmbH

 

(2)CEO                                  Dr. Andreas Meier, President&CEO

 

(3) Head Office location          Im Schleeke 78-91, 38642, Goslar, Germany

 

(4) Date established                  1920

 

(5) Capitalization fund             10million Euro

 

(6) Main business activities      Manufacture and sale of tantalum powder

for capacitors, etc.

 

(7) Sales                                471million Euro

(Consolidate settlement as of the end December 2009)

 

(8) Number of employees         2,800

 

(9) Location                              Germany, Japan, Thailand, Canada,