Dow Chemical JV venture with Ube to produce lithium ion batteries

The two companies, first announced in July, will form Advanced Electrolyte Technologies, which will produce up to 5,000 tons of electrolytes per year at a Dow facility in Midland. Dow said production for the new facility is expected late next year, the same year Dow Kokam’s 400,000-square-foot Midland Battery Park is scheduled to open.

In 2012, the new company will build a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Midland to make battery chemicals and components. The company is expected to create more than a dozen jobs. Advanced Electrolyte Technologies plans also to construct facilities in China and Europe, Dow said.

"We are excited to develop this partnership with Ube and add formulated electrolyte technology to enhance Dow’s portfolio of lithium-ion battery components," said David Klanecky, senior business director, Dow Energy Materials. "This joint venture is an opportunity to bring together Ube’s electrolyte technology with Dow’s global supply network and material science expertise to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries."

Dow Energy Materials, a business unit of Dow Chemical, produces two of the critical components for battery cells — coated anodes and coated cathodes — and the joint venture will tie in with the growth strategy for the business through the addition of formulated electrolytes to the product portfolio.

In addition, AET has named its executive leadership team. Toshimitsu Takahashi, president and CEO of Ube America, will hold the title of CEO. Koichi Ichinose, commercial director at Dow Automotive Systems, will serve as Chief Operating Officer, while Janet Holmes, global finance manager at Dow Automotive Systems, will be the Chief Financial Officer. Junji Tabuchi, deputy general manager of Ube, will serve as Secretary of the joint venture.

“We are excited to develop this partnership with Ube and add formulated electrolyte technology to enhance Dow’s portfolio of lithium-ion battery components,” said David Klanecky, senior business director, Dow Energy Materials. “This joint venture is an opportunity to bring together Ube’s electrolyte technology with Dow’s global supply network and materials science expertise to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries.”

Dow Energy Materials, a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, offers coated anodes and coated cathodes, two of the critical components for battery cells. The joint venture complements the growth strategy of Dow’s Energy Materials business by adding formulated electrolytes to its integrated product portfolio for lithium-ion batteries.

Dow established Dow Energy Materials (DEM) in 2010 with the focus on the development of next-generation battery materials. Dow’s integrated portfolio offering (cathode, anode, electrolyte), innovation engine and market channel access provides the elements of success to ensure these new materials will be adopted broadly across the energy storage industry.

www.dowenergymaterials.com