Japan's Asahi Kasei to delay Canada plant opening on Honda EV slump

Chemical maker looks to new demand from AI data centers for battery materials

Construction continues at Asahi Kasei's separator plant in Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Nikkei)

TOKYO -- Japanese materials supplier Asahi Kasei will postpone the opening of a battery materials plant under construction in Canada until 2029 or later because of an expected lack of demand after Honda Motor, one of Asahi's main customers, delayed the launch of an electric vehicle plant in the country.