H.C. Starck GmbH and Japanese chemical company Chisso Corp. have announced plans for a joint venture to develop and produce lithium mixed oxides for high-performance batteries used to electric-power cars. The two companies will form CS Energy Materials, in which H.C. Starck will have a 49% holding and Chisso Corp. will have a 51% holding. The venture will combine the core competencies of both partners.

CS Energy Materials will build a production plant in Minamata, Japan, with a capacity of 1000 tons per year. The facility is expected to begin operations by the start of 2012. At the same time, H.C. Starck’s Goslar, Germany, site will work on developing more efficient battery intermediates for future production projects in Asia and Europe.

“In the race for the electric car of the future, H.C. Starck has internationally recognized material competencies in the field of lithium mixed oxides,” said Andreas Meier, Ph.D., CEO of the H.C. Starck Group. “With this joint venture, H.C. Starck will successfully penetrate the electro-mobility market, which is predicted to become an important technology of the future. Chisso is an excellent partner for us, who will secure an entry into the Asian market and drive the international expansion of this environmentally friendly technology.”

“It is extremely important for Chisso to do business together with a company like H.C. Starck, a company that carries great technical weight and stands for solid business foundations in the field of the lithium-ion batteries,” said Shun'ichi Okada, president of Chisso Corp.

For more information, visit www.hcstarck.com or www.chisso.co.jp/english/index.asp.