Ube Industries buys Dow's stake in Advanced Electrolyte Technologies

Ube Industries Ltd has acquired majority stake in Advanced Electrolyte Technologies LLC from its JV partner (Dow Chemical Company), in order to further strengthen its marketing of electrolytes for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (LIBs). Advanced Electrolyte Technologies was established in December 2011 by Ube Industries and Dow Chemical, each with a 50 percent stake in the company. The company established a US subsidiary, Advanced Electrolyte Technologies (USA) LLC, in December 2011 and a Chinese subsidiary, AET Electrolyte Technologies (Zhangjiagang) Co Ltd in June 2012, each for the manufacturing and marketing of electrolytes. These steps form part of the company’s efforts to build a global manufacturing and marketing framework for electrolytes.
 
The market for LIBs is growing, centering on applications for mobile phones, tablets and other portable consumer devices. In recent years, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries have begun to be used for automotive applications such as in hybrid and electric vehicles. Future applications include for energy storage systems and industrial applications, with demand for LIBs projected to grow.
 
Ube Industries first brought functional electrolytes to market in 1997, leveraging its own organic synthesis technology and electrochemical expertise to improve battery performance by combining high-purity electrolytes with additives. Since then, Ube Industries has continued to expand its product lineup based on this concept. These functional electrolytes have played a critical role in enhancing the performance of LIBs and expanding the applications for them in the last few years.
 
The move by Ube Industries to make Advanced Electrolyte Technologies a subsidiary further ties together the management of the battery materials business of both companies, as they seek to further expand the business. Mainly in the field of the lithium ion battery whose demand is expected to grow, Ube Industries will promote the further sales expansion and the cost reduction by the synergy between R&D, production, and sales.