H.C. Starck and Chisso Corporation To Establish a Joint Venture for the Production of Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

GOSLAR, Germany, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- H.C. Starck GmbH, Goslar and the Japanese chemical company Chisso Corporation, Tokyo announced that they will establish a joint venture with the aim to develop and produce lithium mixed oxides for high-performance batteries used to power electric cars.

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The development of highly efficient and reliable batteries is one of the key technologies for the promising 'electro-mobility' growth market. Lithium-ion batteries are considered to have excellent market and growth potential.

The two companies will jointly found CS Energy Materials, in which H.C. Starck will have a 49-percent and Chisso Corporation a 51-percent holding. The joint venture will combine the core competencies of both partners.

CS Energy Materials will build a production plant in Minamata, Japan with a capacity of 1000 tons per year, which is planned to be ready for operation by the beginning of 2012. At the same time the Goslar site will be working on the development of even more efficient battery intermediates for future production projects in Asia and Europe.

"In the race for the electric car of the future, H.C. Starck has internationally recognized material competencies in the field of lithium mixed oxides," said Dr. Andreas Meier, CEO of the H.C. Starck Group. "With this joint venture, H.C. Starck will successfully penetrate the electro-mobility market, which is predicted to become an important technology of the future. Chisso is an excellent partner for us, who will secure an entry into the Asian market and drives the international expansion of this environmentally friendly technology."

"It is extremely important for Chisso to do business together with the company like H.C. Starck, a company that carries great technical weight and stands for solid business foundations in the field of the Lithium-ion batteries," stated Shun'ichi Okada, President of Chisso Corporation.

About H.C. Starck

The H.C. Starck Group is a leading global supplier of refractory metals, technical ceramics, and conductive polymers, and serves growing industries such as the electronics, chemicals, automotive, medical technology, aerospace, energy technology, and environmental technology industries, as well as mechanical engineering and tool manufacturers. H.C. Starck has its own manufacturing facilities located in Europe, America, and Asia, and has close to 3,000 employees worldwide. This and further news is available at: www.hcstarck.com/press .

About Chisso

Founded in 1906, Chisso Corporation (http://www.chisso.co.jp/english/index.asp) is a leading Japanese chemical company that aims to contribute to society's progress through superior technology. Chisso is the leading supplier of liquid crystal for flat screen displays. It also pioneered the product category of thermo-bondable composite fibers, paving the way for new breakthroughs in battery technology.

SOURCE H.C. Starck GmbH