The Japanese company, which announced in late April that it would set up a battery-components plant in Canada for Honda’s new EV plant, will build a facility in Port Colborne, Ont., on the north shore of Lake Erie about 34 kilometres west of Buffalo, N.Y. (The Logic)
Talking point: Honda is known for its long-term relationships with suppliers, so Asahi Kasei’s investment signals the start of a significant supply chain in Ontario, with “additional multibillion-dollar investments through multiple phases,” according to the provincial government. The company hasn’t yet revealed how many workers the plant will employ when it starts operations in 2027, but said it chose the location for “abundant renewable resources, skilled talent and strong local community support.” It also hopes the plant can be a base for the “broader North American automotive market.” Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
