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Lead battery separator firm Daramic is set to double the capacity of its polyethylene (PE) separator manufacturing plant in India— just four years after opening the facility.

Daramic, an Asahi Kasei Group company, is expanding capacity at the plant in Dahej, Gujarat to meet the evolving needs of the lead-acid battery industry.

The expansion will enable the company to meet the full demand of Indian customers, as well as helping the firm ease the global supply chain challenges. 

The expansion will open export possibilities to adjacent geographies for its lead-acid battery separators in automotive, industrial and specialty applications. 

Chad Schuchmann, president of Daramic, said: “We are delighted to expand the operating footprint of our state-of-the-art Dahej plant, which will be leveraged to enhance our output and market presence in India. 

“The new production lines enable us to further strengthen our offerings, keep pace with anticipated market demand, and support the growth of the lead-acid battery industry that is set to grow substantially in the coming years. 

“With the current tightening of the global supply chain, Daramic is positioned to meet demand of all major customers in India, with the ability to export to adjoining geographies if needed. 

“Our Dahej plant is equipped to develop separators for batteries that meet modern requirements and create separator solutions that drive innovative market opportunities.” 

India's exciting market

Ahila Krishnamoorthy, managing director, Daramic, said: “India continues to be a very exciting market for us as we have witnessed significant growth in the country. 

“Today, we see a very strong future for lead-acid batteries in India, largely for innovative automotive solutions, industrial applications, and a growing demand for enhanced energy solutions from smaller cities. 

“These factors are expected to drive the lead-acid battery market at a rapid pace in the coming decade. Our investment reaffirms our confidence in the country’s future and we are committed to cater to the country’s growing energy demands. We are creating optimal conditions to meet the increasing market demand and we are well poised to support India’s growth.”

Daramic was established over 90 years ago, and today makes PE separators as well as phenolic resin- based separators for automotive, industrial and specialty applications in the lead-acid battery industry. 

The company has eight strategically located manufacturing facilities in the US, France, Germany, India, China and Thailand. 

Daramic began its India operations in Bangalore in 2008.

In addition to the manufacturing and finishing facility, Daramic has an R&D center in Dahej and a finishing plant in Himachal Pradesh. 

Korean materials firm SK IE Innovation has held an opening ceremony for its lithium-ion battery separator plant in Poland, the company's first European production base.

The company, the material business subsidiary of SK Innovation, held the ceremony to mark the start of commercial production after 21 months of construction, which saw mechanical completion in June and test operation in August.

The plant will have an annual production capacity of 340 million/m2.

CEO and president of SK IE Technology, Rho Jae-sok, said: "The operation of the first European plant has positioned the company as the first battery separator producer in Europe. We will take a significant part in revitalizing the global electric vehicle market."

The company’s first plant in Poland is expected to kick off commercial operation in the fourth quarter of this year.

The products will be supplied to global battery companies such as SK On.

SK IE Technology (SKIET) plans to invest a total of KRW2 trillion ($16.7 million) in Silesia Province by 2024 to ensure production capacity of 1,540 million/m2 of lithium-ion battery separators.

A second plant with a 340 million/m2 production capacity is under construction and is scheduled to be ready for commercial operation by 2023. 

Last July ground was broken on third and fourth plants with respective 430 million/m2 capacity. 

It is anticipated that the global production capacity of SKIET encompassing South Korea, China, and Europe will reach a total of 2,730 million/m2.

According to research agency IHS Market, the European battery industry will be expanded by five times from 82GWh this year to about 410GWh in 2026. The demand for separators will likely follow suit.

Battery separator company Entek International completed the acquisition of a Japanese lead-acid battery separator firm.

Entek finalised the purchase of the majority stake in Nippon Sheet Glass’ (NSG) lead-acid battery separator business on 1 September.

The deal was first announced in May when both companies executed the relevant agreements and had to await approval by the laws and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions, including NSG’ home country Japan.

Larry Keith, CEO of Entek International, said the acquisition was an “important milestone” in the growth and evolution of the company’s global business.

The combination of manufacturing footprints and product portfolios will enable Entek to support customers around the world and produce all three primary separator technologies­­— polyethylene (PE) separator and absorbent glass mat (AGM), and lithium-ion separators— for the global energy storage industry.  

The transaction included all NSG's lead-battery separator manufacturing facilities in Japan and China for both AGM and PE

The investment provides Entek with the capacity and expanded product offerings to meet broader customer demands as well as enabling entry into new markets.

The acquisition is one of many strategic initiatives underway by the US firm, others include the expansion of the Indonesian manufacturing site, investment in specialty films at the Oregon campus, expansion of its equipment division and collaboration and investment at the Britishvolt gigafactory site in the UK.

You can read more about the deal in the latest edition of BEST magazine, available here

Lead-acid battery separator firm Microporous has opened a ‘state-of-the-art’ production line that triples its polyethylene (PE) separator capacity in the US.

Commissioned in March, the advanced lead-acid battery separator manufacturing facility include innovative features and the latest technologies available in the industry