Idemitsu and Toyota Announce Beginning of Cooperation toward Mass Production of All-Solid-State Batteries for BEVs
Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Idemitsu) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that they have entered into an agreement to work together in developing mass production technology of solid electrolytes, improving productivity and establishment a supply chain, to achieve the mass production of all-solid-state batteries for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Through this collaboration, the two companies, which lead the world* in the fields including material development relating to all-solid-state batteries, seek to ensure the successful commercialization of all-solid-state batteries in 2027-28―as announced at the Toyota Technical Workshop in June 2023―followed by full-scale mass production.
Combination of Idemitsu’s social implementation of energy one step ahead and materials and Toyota’s multi-pathway approach is promoting BEV development, which is a vital option in the move towards carbon neutrality. As for next-generation batteries which support an evolution of BEVs, Idemitsu has been working on research & development on elemental technologies for all-solid-state batteries since 2001, while Toyota started in 2006.
This collaboration focuses on sulfide solid electrolytes, which are seen as a promising material to achieve high capacity and output for BEVs. Sulfide solid electrolytes are characterized by softness and adhesiveness to other materials, which is suitable for battery mass production.
To prepare for full-scale mass production, both companies have established a task force consisting of dozens of members and will proceed the collaboration as follows: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/39865919.html
Neste, Idemitsu Kosan, CHIMEI and Mitsubishi Corporation have agreed to build a renewable plastics supply chain utilizing bio-based hydrocarbons (Neste RE) for the production of styrene monomer (i.e. bio-SM), and its mass balanced renewable plastics derivatives including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (i.e. bio-ABS*). The bio-SM production in Japan and the renewable plastics production in Taiwan will mark the first of such production in each country, and they are planned to take place in the first half of 2023.
Renewable plastics supply chain
Neste, the world’s leading producer of renewable and circular feedstock for the polymers and chemicals industry uses, will provide Neste RE to Idemitsu Kosan, the biggest SM manufacturer in Japan. For this collaboration, Neste RE is produced from 100% bio-based raw materials such as waste and residues and its use can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with conventional fossil feedstock use.
Idemitsu Kosan will then produce bio-SM based on the mass balance method and supply it to CHIMEI, the biggest ABS manufacturer in the world for its renewable plastics production. Mitsubishi Corporation will be coordinating the collaboration between the value chain partners and develop renewable product’s market.
Through developing an even stronger partnership and closer collaboration than conventionally seen in plastics value chains, the companies are introducing new renewable contents into the value chain to enable plastic production where fossil feedstock has been replaced with biomass. With this, the companies are contributing to the plastics industry GHG emission reduction targets and the transition towards a low-carbon emission society.
*ABS resin is a thermoplastic polymer made from acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene monomer, and given its properties of impact resistance, toughness, and rigidity, it is used across different sectors which include automobile, electronics and toys.
For more information, visit www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2022/html/0000049970.html.
To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the rider development program conducted by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Director, President and Representative Executive Officer: Toshihiro Mibe) and Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Idemitsu, Representative Director President and Chief Executive Officer: Shunichi Kito) aimed at “discovering and nurturing world class Asian riders, and developing motorsports culture in Asia,” the companies held a ceremony at Mobility Resort Motegi, where the 2022 FIM* MotoGP World Championship Round 16, the Grand Prix of Japan is being held.
The rider development program by Honda and Idemitsu began in 2013 with the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia’s entry into the Moto2 World Championship. In 2016, Honda Team Asia, aimed at providing a path to Moto2, began racing in the Moto3 class. The following year, the Dorna Sports SL.-organized Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup kicked off, aiming to produce world-class riders. In 2018, IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia rider Takaaki Nakagami moved from Moto2 to representing LCR Honda IDEMITSU in the MotoGP class, completing the rider development path to the premier class.
To celebrate the project’s tenth anniversary, the companies held a ceremony on the Mobility Resort Motegi track, where the Grand Prix of Japan, home race to both companies, is held. The event was attended by LCR Honda IDEMITSU’s Takaaki Nakagami, IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra, Honda Team Asia’s Mario Suryo Aji and Taiyo Furusato, and Moto2 / Moto3 team manager Hiroshi Aoyama, along with IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia’s first team manager Tadayuki Okada and Yuki Takahashi. Idemitsu’s President, Shunichi Kito, Dorna Sports’ CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, and Hondas President Toshihiro Mibe expressed their renewed passion in continuing the project to develop motorsports culture in the Asia region.
Shunichi Kito: Representative Director President and Chief Executive Officer, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. “I am proud that we have been involved with Honda in developing young riders for the past ten years, and acting as technical advisor for the teams’ oil strategies. The project has many accomplishments, beginning with Yuki Takahashi participating in the Moto2 class, Takaaki Nakagami becoming the only Japanese rider to compete in the MotoGP class since 2018, and Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra, both former Asia Talent Cup riders, winning races in the Moto2 class. These achievements were made possible with the continuing efforts by the riders, the team managers, the teams, Honda and Dorna, and with the support of all its fans. I am grateful for all the support we have had. We will continue to fight alongside riders who aim for the pinnacle of motorsports, with high ideals and fighting spirits.”
Toshihiro Mibe: Director, President and Representative Executive Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “I am very pleased that our project with Idemitsu to develop young Asian riders has reached its tenth anniversary. For Honda, this project which is part of its racing activities in the Asia region to make the dreams of young riders aspiring to race in the MotoGP class come true, is very meaningful. I am truly grateful for Idemitsu’s continued support for this project. Our hope is that motorsports will gain further in popularity, through more and more Asian riders competing in the premier MotoGP class.”
