Dusseldorf: Japanese company Asahi Kasei is expanding its manufacturing capacity for key components of alkaline water electrolyzers at its Kawasaki plant. This move is part of a government-supported effort to enhance the country’s green hydrogen supply chain and help achieve Japan’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050.
The expansion includes building new facilities to produce cell frames and membranes for electrolyzers, with a target capacity of at least 2 GW each by 2028. This will increase Asahi Kasei’s annual production capacity for electrolysis components to over 3 GW. The project, which requires an investment of ¥35 billion, will receive up to ¥11.4 billion in government subsidies.
Green hydrogen is a central focus of Japan’s “Green Transformation (GX)” strategy, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while driving economic growth. The GX Supply Chain Construction Support Project seeks to create a domestic supply chain for hydrogen technologies.
Masami Takenaka, a senior executive at Asahi Kasei, emphasized the importance of preparing for the growing hydrogen market. “We need to act quickly to establish and expand production systems to seize opportunities as the market grows. We aim to secure a 20% share of the global market for water electrolysis equipment by 2030, strengthening the green hydrogen supply base and boosting Japan’s competitiveness.”
Asahi Kasei plans to combine its expertise in hydrogen production with its well-established chlor-alkali electrolysis operations to meet increasing demand while addressing challenges like renewable energy costs and availability.
The new facilities will support global efforts to transition to green hydrogen. “Building a stable supply chain for green hydrogen is a major step toward a hydrogen-powered society,” said Kenji Takeda, an executive overseeing Asahi Kasei’s membrane and water processing businesses. “We are collaborating with the government to position Japan as a leader in this field.”
Asahi Kasei is known for its contributions to sustainable solutions, with businesses spanning materials, homes, and healthcare. The company employs over 49,000 people globally and is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
For more information about Asahi Kasei’s initiatives, visit asahi-kasei.com.
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