INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
Asahi Kasei gets governmental support to expand manufacturing capacity for green hydrogen production equipment in Japan
Support sets up a stable domestic manufacturing supply chain for technologies that contribute to achieving the country ’ s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 .
Asahi Kasei has received governmental support for the expansion of its manufacturing capacity for cell frames and membranes of alkaline water electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen at its plant site in Kawasaki , Japan . cornerstone of the country ’ s Green Transformation ( GX ) strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 . As one part of this strategy , the “ GX Supply Chain Construction Support Project ” aims at establishing a world ’ s first domestic manufacturing supply chain for cutting-edge technologies that will contribute to achieving Japan ’ s climate goals , while nurturing economic growth .
Asahi Kasei proposed to build new plants for both cell frames and membranes for electrolysis having manufacturing capacity of at least 2 GW each at the company ’ s plant site in Kawasaki by 2028 .
The purpose is to establish a stable domestic manufacturing supply chain for technologies that contribute to achieving the country ’ s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 .
The Japanese Government has adopted this proposal for financial support with the total capital investment estimated at approximately ¥ 35 billion – with Asahi Kasei receiving a subsidy of up to ¥ 11.4 billion .
For decades , Japan has been a leader in the field of technology for hydrogen production and utilization . Green hydrogen is one important
Including the current manufacturing capacity for Asahi Kasei ’ s ionexchange membrane chlor-alkali electrolysis process , this expansion will raise the company ’ s total annual capacity for cell frames and membranes to more than 3 GW .
“ Even as it remains unclear when a hydrogen society will become a reality , we need to swiftly establish and expand a production system to seize the opportunity of market expansion and earn our share of the water electrolysis equipment market ,” said Masami Takenaka , Lead Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and Senior General Manager of its Green Solution Project .
“ Looking ahead to the huge market that will emerge from a new hydrogen ecosystem while anticipating market expansion toward 2030 , we aim to build the world ’ s largest water electrolysis equipment manufacturing capacity and supply system through further capital investment and alliances with partners built through existing businesses , including overseas .
“ Through these efforts , we aim for a 20 % share of the world ’ s major water electrolysis equipment markets , primarily in Europe , North America and India , by around 2030 , which will contribute to strengthening the green hydrogen supply base worldwide while raising the industrial competitiveness of Japan in the field of hydrogen .”
Kenji Takeda , Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei responsible for Ion Exchange Membranes , Microza & Water Processing and Green Solution Project Business Development , said : “ Establishing a stable manufacturing supply chain for green hydrogen is another major step towards realizing a hydrogen society .” p
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