ExxonMobil Chemical's
affiliate TonenGeneral and Toray Industries have agreed to establish a global
joint venture for the battery separator film business. It will develop, manufacture
and sell lithium ion battery (LIB) separator film and introduce next-generation
films to the market.
The joint venture will combine Toray's plastic film processing and polymer
science capabilities with Tonen's existing lithium ion battery separator film
business and technology. It will build on ExxonMobil's more than 20 years
of experience and success in providing separator films, including for use in
the personal electronics market, as well as support the development of future
LIB applications in hybrid-electric and electric vehicles.
"We believe the joint venture will accelerate the development of separator
film technology to support the rapidly evolving lithium ion battery market faster
than either company could do alone," said Jim P. Harris, senior vice president
ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
Detailed agreements are being prepared in anticipation of the joint venture
formation in January 2010. TonenGeneral and Toray Industries will each hold
a 50 percent interest in the joint venture, with headquarters located in Tokyo.
“We are confident that Toray's innovative ideas and technologies
will enhance the capability of the joint venture to capture growth and meet
the needs of the growing LIB market,” said Sadayuki Sakakibara, President,
CEO and COO, Toray Industries Inc.
Posted November 4th, 2009
