Ube Industries to Expand Production Capacity of Lithium-Ion Battery Separators
TOKYO, September 15, 2015 _ Ube Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has decided to expand its production capacity for lithium-ion battery separators by rebuilding existing facilities at its Ube Chemical Factory (Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) while also establishing new production facilities for separators at Sakai Factory (Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture). The Company is taking these actions in response to growing demand for separators for automotive-use lithium-ion batteries.
东京，2015年9月15日_宇部兴产有限公司今天宣布，公司正采取行动以应对不断增长的汽车用锂离子电池隔膜市场需求，公司已决定扩大现有宇部化工厂锂离子电池隔膜产能，同时在酒井法子(酒井法子城市大阪县)建立新的生产工厂。
Ube Industries began manufacturing separators at the Ube Chemical Factory in 1994. It has gradually increased production capacity at the site in line with the expanding market for lithium-ion batteries. The Company also started production of separators at Sakai Factory in 2013. With these two factories in Japan, the Company has delivered a stable supply of products while responding to growing demand.
宇部兴产1994年开始制造锂电池隔膜，逐渐增加现场生产能力以适应锂电池市场扩张。公司于2013年在酒井法子开始生产隔膜。这两个工厂在日本，公司推出稳定供应的产品，应对日益增长的需求。
Demand for lithium-ion batteries used in automotive applications is projected to increase greatly, especially for hybrid vehicles (HVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), and electric vehicles (EVs). Likewise, further advances in the development of lithium-ion batteries for electricity storage and industrial applications are expected in the future.
锂离子电池在汽车市场需求方面的应用预计将大大增加，特别是对于混合动力汽车(HVs)，插电式混合动力车(PHVs)和电动车(EVs)。同样，未来锂离子电池将广泛应用于电力存储和工业应用。
Ube Industries' separator products are manufactured using a unique dry process, and they are already used widely in automotive applications. In 2011, the Company established Ube Maxell Co., Ltd. (Otokuni-gun, Kyoto Prefecture), a joint venture with Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. By combining the advanced technological expertise of the two founding companies, Ube Maxell manufactures high-performance coated separator films with diverse functions, including excellent reliability. Ube Maxell has also steadily increased its sales volume by taking advantage of market growth in and outside of Japan.
日本宇部兴产的隔膜产品，制造时运用独特的干燥过程，产品已广泛应用在汽车领域。2011年，该公司成立了宇部万胜有限公司(Otokuni-gun、京都县)，与日立万胜合资有限公司通过合并两个创始公司的先进技术经验，宇部万胜从而产出的高性能涂层隔膜，具有不同的功能，以及优秀的可靠性。宇部万胜也稳步增加对日本以外的市场供应。
As the first phase in its new plan to expand production capacity, Ube Industries will rebuild its existing facilities at the Ube Chemical Factory, a project which is scheduled for completion in July 2016. Following that, as the second phase of the plan, the Company will establish new production facilities at the Sakai Factory, a project which is scheduled for completion in June 2017. This two-phase expansion will increase the combined production capacity of the factories to 200 million square meters of separator film, about 40% more than the current level. By boosting production capacity, Ube Industries will be able to respond to growing demand for separators in a timely manner, establish a solid presence in this expanding market, and further lead market growth. The Company will also consider gradually increasing production capacity to 300 million square meters by around 2020, about double the current level.
作为第一阶段的产能扩张，宇部计划重建其现有设备的宇部化学工厂，预计2016年7月完成。计划的第二阶段，该公司将在酒井法子工厂建立新的生产线，预计2017年6月落成。这两阶段的产能扩张将会增加工厂的综合生产能力，隔膜产能达到2亿平方米，比当前水平提升约40%。通过提高产能、宇部兴产能够及时应对隔膜市场的需求，从而实现增长。公司还将考虑逐渐增加3亿平方米的隔膜生产能力，2020年左右产能达到当前水平的两倍。
In its battery materials business, which is positioned as a strategic growth business, Ube Industries is working to expand its global sales of electrolytes by leveraging its expert ability to develop additive agents. The Company is also carrying out development of Artificial Micro Carbon (AMC) as a conductive agent for cathodes and anodes in lithium-ion batteries, and lithium titanium oxide (LTO) as an anode material. As the market for lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications is expected to keep growing globally, Ube Industries will strive to expand its battery materials business with a focus on such applications.
宇部兴产电池材料业务定位为战略业务增长，正在努力扩大其电解质的全球销量，通过利用其专业能力发展电解质代理。公司还开发人工微碳（AMC）导电剂材料，以及锂钛氧化物（LTO）锂电池阳极材料。电动汽车用锂离子电池市场预计将持续增长，宇部兴产将努力扩大其电池材料等重点业务。
