DNP to Build new Lithium-Ion Battery Pouch Plant

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) will build a new plant to produce lithium-ion battery pouches, designed to boost production in anticipation of expanded demand for Electric Vehicles (EV), Plug-in Hybrids (PHV) and Hybrid vehicles (HV).

The new plant will be located within the premises of an existing factory at Tsuruse, Iruma-gun, Saitama prefecture, approximately 37.5 kilometers east of Tokyo.

We are also pleased to announce that the new plant is ahead of schedule, and is expected to come on line from June 2021. In addition, we plan to reinforce the facilities from 2022 and are considering the expansion of production capabilities, including the enhancement of other manufacturing bases against in response to healthy demand for lithium batteries, mainly in relation to automobiles.

Sample of lithium-ion battery pouch for automobiles

[New Plant]

Against the backdrop of the global trend towards the strengthening of anti-global warming measures seen in recent years, Japan, China and Europe have launched green recovery policies, and are pushing ahead with the development and adoption of eco-friendly vehicles, including EVs. To date, lithium-ion battery pouches have been widely used in information devices, such as smartphones and tablet devices in order to capitalize on their light weight and low profiles. In line with the adoption of EVs, however, we are witnessing a rapid increase in demand for large-scale batteries and pouches.

DNP has taken advantage of its long standing printing skills in material processing technology, otherwise known as converting technology, to develop a lithium-ion battery pouch, and successfully put this technology to practical use in the late 1990s. These pouches are currently supplied to domestic and overseas battery manufacturers, and have won the top global share based on a reputation for superior quality and their long standing track record for reliability.

The pouches have so far been manufactured at our Tobata plant at Fukuoka prefecture, approximately 1,000 kilometers south west of Tokyo, but it has been decided to build a new production facility from the standpoint of market expansion and enhancing Business Continuity Management. We will also reinforce the new facilities from 2022 in order to respond to healthy global demand. The Tsuruse plant also produces components, such as interior materials for automobiles, and looking ahead, will be developed as a core production base for mobility related enterprises.

[Overview of New Plant] 

[Going Forward]

DNP forecasts JPY 100 billion (USD 940,000,000 approx.) in FY 2024, from sales of lithium-ion battery pouches.

Going forward we will continue to develop and manufacture lithium-ion battery pouches and other eco-friendly products, and will contribute to the realization of a carbon-free society.

Our Lithium-Ion Battery Pouch Initiatives

Our lithium-ion battery pouches have been endowed with a variety of functions through the multi-layering of the plastic film, which exhibits such strengths as being lighter while also proffering a greater freedom to shape the material compared to the metal containers used so far. Since the latter half of the 1990s, our pouches have been widely used in information devices, such as smartphones, tablet terminals and laptops that demands for lighter weight and lower profiles.

In addition, our lithium-ion battery pouches can also accommodate mobility-related demand for increased fuel efficiency, via weight reductions, such as those for the batteries. We have also successfully achieved water vapor barrier features, heat and vibration resistance, as well as long life, all of which are necessary features as an exterior material for batteries.  Further expansions I use are expected from automobiles that require high level safety.

* Product prices, specifications and service contents mentioned in this news release are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at any time without notice.