New production facility for Li-ion battery separator base film by UBE MAXELL
Last update on Jun 8, 2026
Reliable separator supply remains a critical constraint for manufacturers scaling lithium-ion battery production — particularly as demand from automotive and energy storage applications continues to outpace available capacity. UBE MAXELL CO., LTD., a joint venture of UBE Corporation and Maxell, Ltd., has announced a phased expansion of its separator base film production facility at its Sakai Works, targeting an approximately 50% increase in production capacity from current levels.
The expansion follows the completion of a separator base film production facility already under construction at Sakai Works, scheduled for completion in fall 2026. According to UBE MAXELL, construction of the first phase of the new facility is planned to commence in fiscal 2026, with the second phase scheduled for fiscal 2029.
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Use a dry process for separator production
The adoption of electrified vehicles (xEVs) continues to expand over the medium to long term, driven by the global trend toward a decarbonized society, and demand for separators, a key component of LiBs, is expected to continue growing.
While some adjustments have recently been seen in the expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market, automotive applications-particularly hybrid vehicles (HVs)-remain firm, and underlying demand continues to be resilient.
Furthermore, in addition to the growing use of renewable energy, demand for LiBs for energy storage systems (ESS) is expanding against a backdrop of increasing electricity demand driven by AI, data centers, and other factors. As a result, the separator market is expected to grow in both automotive and non-automotive applications.
UBE MAXELL produces separators using a dry process. According to the company, dry-process separators are extensively used in automotive lithium-ion batteries owing to their performance qualities and safety characteristics. The company states its intent to continue expanding capacity in a timely manner while accelerating application development for next-generation xEVs and non-automotive markets.