Asahi Kasei opens Hipore wet-process separator coating line in Charlotte, NC
- Grand opening held August 20 for a Hipore™ wet-process lithium-ion separator coating line in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Investment decision made in 2023; commercial production is scheduled to begin in the second half of fiscal 2026.
- The line expands capacity at the existing Celgard plant and is the first step toward a North American wet-process supply framework alongside a planned Canadian facility.
- Toyota Tsusho has a capacity rights agreement related to the facility; the opening coincided with Celgard Charlotte’s 40th anniversary (producing since 1986).
Project and timeline
Asahi Kasei held a grand opening ceremony on August 20 for a new Hipore™ wet-process lithium-ion battery separator coating line in Charlotte, North Carolina. The investment expands production capacity at the company’s existing Celgard manufacturing facility. The investment decision was made in 2023 and commercial production is scheduled to begin in the second half of fiscal 2026.
Regional supply strategy
The Charlotte coating line is presented as the first step toward establishing a regional supply structure for wet-process separators. Combined with a planned separator facility in Canada, the investments are intended to bring wet-process production closer to North American battery markets and to complement Celgard’s existing dry-process output.
Stakeholders and capacity rights
The grand opening coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Celgard facility, which has produced dry-process separators in the United States since 1986. Local government officials and representatives of Toyota Tsusho Corporation — which has entered into a capacity rights agreement related to the facility — attended the ceremony.
Market context
Asahi Kasei cites expanding North American battery demand beyond electric vehicles, driven by increasing deployment of energy storage systems, and says improving regional conditions are creating opportunities for suppliers with localized production and responsive supply capabilities.
Source: Asahi Kasei