#Japan #Tokyo #Asahi Kasei #Haichem #Acetolyte™

Haichem and Asahi Kasei Collaborate in China

In a significant move in the battery material industry, Haichem Co., Ltd. has officially announced a licensing agreement with Asahi Kasei, a leading chemical company based in Japan. This agreement, focused on the Chinese market, allows Haichem's subsidiary, Haichem (Shanghai) International Trade Co., Ltd., to utilize Asahi Kasei's innovative electrolyte technology named Acetolyte™.

Overview of the License Agreement

The collaboration grants Haichem (Shanghai) a non-exclusive license for the manufacturing and sale of Acetolyte™. This technology, renowned for its exceptional ionic conductivity, positions Haichem to leverage its extensive customer base and distribution network within China's rapidly evolving battery materials sector.

As electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS) gain traction in China, the demand for high-performance lithium-ion batteries is on the rise. Haichem and Asahi Kasei aim to expand the adoption of Acetolyte™ electrolytes by enhancing customer development and optimizing supply chain mechanisms within the region.

Comments from Representatives

Masazaki Osamu, Executive Officer and Head of R&D at Asahi Kasei, remarked, "This licensing agreement marks a crucial step in the global deployment of Acetolyte™. By collaborating closely with Haichem Shanghai, we aim to provide enhanced value to customers in China and further our business expansion through licensing."

Furthermore, Long Yueyuan, General Manager at Haichem Shanghai, expressed confidence in the partnership's prospects. "Haichem has dedicated nearly two decades to the lithium-ion battery sector, and we possess deep market insights and abundant operational experience in China. The superior low-temperature characteristics of Acetolyte™ will surely demonstrate significant value through our close cooperation, ultimately driving new development opportunities in the battery industry."

What is Acetolyte™?

Acetolyte™ is a cutting-edge electrolyte technology developed by Asahi Kasei, which contains acetonitrile. This electrolyte facilitates enhanced output in low-temperature environments and improved durability in high-temperature conditions. Additionally, it contributes to reducing battery costs and compacting battery packs, ultimately leading to increased energy density.

Haichem's Licensing Activities

With the intention of promoting the implementation of outstanding Japanese chemical technologies, Haichem actively engages in licensing and technology transfer within the global market, especially in China.

A prominent example of Haichem's efforts is its SEG® (Syngas to Ethylene Glycol) technology, which has been operational since 2010. Based on UBE Corporation's technology, Haichem has established a commercial production system that has since yielded 23 licensing contracts, collectively reaching an impressive production capacity of approximately 10 million tons annually. Moreover, the company is pioneering the large-scale production of DMC (dimethyl carbonate), a key solvent for lithium-ion battery electrolytes, within Shaanxi Province, China.

In recent developments, Haichem acquired intellectual property related to caprolactam manufacturing technology utilizing the gas-phase Beckmann rearrangement from Sumitomo Chemical in 2024. The company is also enhancing its initiatives in functional materials by securing intellectual property rights for high molecular weight PLA (polylactic acid) from Ricoh and stereo-complex PLA (SC-PLA) from Teijin in December 2025.

Haichem now aims to further expand the reach of advanced technologies born in Japan to global markets, creating new value through consistent delivery of technology licensing and industrial applications.

Company Overview

Haichem Co., Ltd. operates as a bridge in the chemical industry between Japan and China, blending trading capabilities with manufacturing expertise. The company has diversified its operational areas to include not only chemicals but also food, life sciences, and next-generation energy sectors, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

Company Name: Haichem Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 1-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo Toranomon Global Square 11th floor

President: Takahiro Yuichi

Business Overview: Trading business, licensing business, catalyst development, mass production, contract work, green chemistry, and next-generation energy development.