A Way to a Sustainable Future: Asahi Kasei
Group's Insight, Innovation, and Challenges
in the Environmental Energy Sector
27th May 2024
Wirtschaftstag Japan 2024

Dr. rer. nat. Naoki Matsuoka
General Manager, R&D Center
Lead Expert for Lithium-ion Batteries
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbHW I R T S C H AF T S T AG J AP AN 2 0 2 4

One Century of Innovation
Asahi Kasei was founded in 1922. In 1923, the company
started the production of its first product “NH3 (ammonia)”
utilizing the Casale method using “Green Hydrogen” andrenewable energy.
Over the past 100 years, Asahi Kasei has continued totake on challenges to develop and grow the businesses
while receiving various support from our stakeholders.

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History of Business Portfolio Transformation

1922 –

1940 s–Japan’s first
production ofsynthetic ammonia

1960 s–Expansion into
synthetic resins andsynthetic fibers

1980 s–Expansion into petrochemicals, homes, healthcare, and electronics

Progress in overseas
business, focus on
business restructuring●Material●Homes●Health Care

Accelerated globalization
through M&A, expansionof health care business2013Naphtha cracker (completed in 1972)

2018

1974

1968

Ammonia plant

1923
1922

2000 s–1931

2012
1983

1960
1972
1959

1967

1978

2015

2020

1957
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Asahi Kasei at a Glance: Three Sectors

Material

Homes

Health Care

Fibers & Textiles
ChemicalsElectronics

Construction Materials
Homes

Acute Critical Care
Pharmaceuticals
Medical Care

Foundation
1922

Turnover20 bn Euro*Worldwide
presence

Employees
48,897

Nobeoka, JapanAll sectors

88 sites in 20
countries

Worldwide* As of 31 March 2023
Fiscal year 2022 result roughly converted from JPY to EUR4W I R T S C H AF T S T AG J AP AN 2 0 2 4

Insight: 10 Growth Gears (GG10)
Megatrends

Fields forprovision ofvalue

DecarbonizedSociety

Environment& Energy

Operating Income of GG10 (¥ billion)

Hydrogen-Related

400

CO2 Chemistry

Energy Storage

Mobility

Car Interior MaterialLife Material

Digital Solutions

Digital SocietyHome & Living

Society of Healthy
Longevity

GG10 Businesses

North American and AustralianHomes
Environmental Homes andConstruction Materials
Critical Care

Health Care

Global Specialty Pharma
Bioprocess

GG10Over70%

202.6
Investment ofApprox.
approx. ¥600 billion
35%(based on fiscal 2022–
2024 investment
Otherdecisions)businesses

2021
resultAround2030 (FY)

Note: Proportion of business income from GG10, excluding
corporate expenses and eliminations
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Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Activities
Investment in Startups and Other Promising Companies

Original CVC Investment Framework

New CVC Investment Framework

Care for People

ScopeDX, Health Care sector, Homes sector
Objectives
Aiming to create new businesses,
partnerships, and acquisitions based oncorporate and division strategies
Time FrameAiming for commercialization within 5 years

Care for EarthParallelEffort$100M(2023-2027)
Scope
Areas related to decarbonization centered onhydrogen, carbon management, biochemicals,and batteries
Objectives
1. Reduction of GHG emissions for Asahi
Kasei and society
2. Creation of new businesses related todecarbonization
3. Participation in sustainable ecosystem

Time Frame
Aiming for commercialization within 5–10 years
CVC investment categories

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History of Electrolysis
1923

Started ammonia production using hydrogen from waterelectrolysis. Electricity was supplied by our own hydroelectric
power plant

1975

Launched chlor-alkali electrolyzer system (AcilyzerTM), using ion
exchange membranes (AciplexTM)

2010

Started the development ofalkaline water electrolyzer system based on our chlor-alkali
know-how2020

Joined ALIGN-CCUS/Take-Off project in Germany
as an electrolyzer supplierInstalled 10MW scale electrolyzer
at FH2R1 project in Japan

1. FH2R is a project commissioned by the New Energy andIndustrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

2025

Commercialisation
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W I R T S C H AF T S T AG J AP AN 2 0 2 4Open Innovation: ALIGN-CCUS• Asahi Kasei participated in ALIGN-CCUS projectas an electrolyzer supplier.
• Asahi Kasei provided electrolyzer module at RWE’sCoal Innovation Centre in Niederaussem, Germany.
• Start of basic engineering for the project in 2019.
Demonstration of total DME production process in 2020.

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W I R T S C H AF T S T AG J AP AN 2 0 2 4Open Innovation: TAKE-OFF• Take-Off project is a project to develop a unique
technology based on the conversion of CO2 andrenewable hydrogen to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
• Asahi Kasei continues to support this project based on
its electrolyzer technology.
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N. Matsuoka, H. Kamine, Y. Natsume, A. Yoshino, ChemElectroChem 2021, 8, 3095–3104.

Technical Background of Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs)
ChargeDischarge
Electron
Lithium-ion+Electrolyte

Electrolyte

Current collector(Copper)

Current collector(Aluminum)
Positive electrodeOur solution:
Super high ionic
conductivity electrolyte
by using acetonitrile-Separator

Capacity:
Power:
Durability:
Safety:Negative electrodecontrolled by electrode active materials
controlled by thickness of electrodes
mainly controlled by electrolyte
mainly controlled by separator

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Demonstration of Asahi Kasei Electrolyte

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Successful Proof of Concept
Asahi Kasei’s technological breakthrough allows for an increased battery power output at
low-temperatures of even -40 °C, and improved durability at high temperatures of up to 60 °C.

*Relative to the performance of a LFP battery with a conventional electrolyte

Durability at
High Temperature

Performance at
Low Temperature(Indexed to conventional electrolyte at −20°C as 100%)【Cell specification】
Cell type: Cylindrical cell
Positive electrode: LFP
Negative electrode: Graphite【Test condition】
Charge : 0.5 C, 3.6 V CCCV, 25°C
Discharge : 10 C, 1.0 V CC

【Cell specification】
Cell type: Cylindrical cell
Positive electrode: LFP
Negative electrode: Graphite【Test condition】
Charge : 0.5 C, 3.6 V CCCV
Discharge : 1 C, 2.0 V CC

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Advantages of Electrolytes with High Ionic Conductivity
Contributing to a low-carbon society by increasing the value of lithium-ion batteries
with superionic conductive electrolyte technology
Al current
collector

HighPower

Fast
Charging

Reduction of size & cost

High Ionic
Conductivity

Low
Temperature
Performance

Battery case

HighCapacity

Material
Cost
Reduction

Cu current
collector

Separator

Li+ Cathode

AnodeThick electrodes→ Energy density increased,
cost reduced
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W I R T S C H AF T S T AG J AP AN 2 0 2 4Open Innovation: HEADLINE
Jointly developing a new lithium-ion battery cell with improved properties
in “HEADLINE Project” funded by BMBF (The Federal Ministry of Education and Research)Participants
Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS)
Nine German Companies including Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Key materials
 New highly conductive
liquid electrolytes
 Electrodes made by
non-toxic extrusion process

Technology Features
 Highly capacitive Fast-charging
 Cost-effective
 More sustainable(No NMP required)

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Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH

Innovation Hub

Communication

Local R&DLocal Service

New proposals for the future
automobile based on crossdivisional and cross-AK
company collaboration

Stronger communication byuniting sales, marketing,logistics, R&D and technicalservice

Developing new materials fitfor the European market
together with customers andresearch institutes

Local technical service withquick data analysis andremote technical support

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THE COMMITMENT OF THE ASAHI KASEI GROUP:

To do all that we can in every era to help the people of the world
make the most of life and attain fulfillment in living.
Since ourfounding,weGroup:have always been deeply committed
The commitmentof theAsahi Kasei
To do allwe can in every
era tohelp the peopleofof theworld
tothatcontributing
to thedevelopment
society,make the most of life and attain fulfillment in living.
boldlyanticipating
the emergenceof new needs.
Since ourfounding,we have always
been deeply committed
to contributing
the development
society,
This istowhat
we meanofby“Creating for Tomorrow.”
boldly anticipating the emergence of new needs.
This is what we mean by “Creating for Tomorrow.”

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