Asahi Kasei and FDK agreed to dissolve Asahi Kasei FDK Energy Device Co., Ltd. (AFEC), their joint-venture company for the lithium ion capacitor (LIC) business, on June 30, 2015.
AFEC was established in October 2011 as a joint-venture company to accelerate the development of the LIC market by combining FDK’s cell and module technology and production technology with Asahi Kasei’s unique basic cell technology, and a certain degree of progress was achieved. However, due to subsequent changes in the operating environment, the pace of expansion of the LIC market was slower than expected, especially when compared to other energy storage devices. Asahi Kasei and FDK therefore determined that the business would be best managed independently, with each party focusing on its own respective management strategy. Based on this understanding, an agreement was concluded whereby Asahi Kasei will transfer its shares in AFEC to FDK on June 30, 2015.
Asahi Kasei will continue to develop competitive power storage devices by leveraging its unique material technologies, as well as creating new businesses by utilizing its existing energy storage materials technology.
