Asahi Kasei expands Kawasaki electrolyzer and chlor‑alkali capacity with regional incentives
- Kanagawa Prefecture and the City of Kawasaki awarded financial incentives for new Kawasaki production facilities.
- New plants will make cell frames and membranes for alkaline water electrolysis, targeting at least 2 GW each by 2028.
- Combined with existing ion‑exchange membrane chlor‑alkali capacity, total annual cell frame and membrane output will exceed 3 GW.
- The expansion proposal won governmental support in December 2024 and plans were formally approved in October 2025.
Incentives and approvals
Asahi Kasei’s project to build new production facilities in Kawasaki for alkaline water electrolysis and ion‑exchange membrane chlor‑alkali equipment has been awarded financial support by Kanagawa Prefecture and the City of Kawasaki. The expansion proposal was selected for governmental support in December 2024, and the company formally approved construction plans in October 2025.
Capacity and product scope
The Kawasaki site will add manufacturing for cell frames and membranes used in alkaline water electrolyzers, targeting at least 2 GW of capacity for each product line by 2028. Together with the company’s existing ion‑exchange membrane chlor‑alkali electrolysis equipment capacity, the expansion will raise total annual cell frame and membrane capacity to more than 3 GW.
Strategic intent
Asahi Kasei is positioning the Kawasaki Works as a global hub for water electrolysis and chlor‑alkali systems, concentrating resources to create a flexible, resilient supply platform. The company says the move will strengthen its technology and supply capabilities in water electrolysis and support regional economic development while enhancing competitiveness in hydrogen‑related markets.
Source: Asahi Kasei
