Asahi Kasei to Build a Battery Component Plant in Port Colborne
Port Colborne – From mining critical minerals to building cars and batteries, Ontario businesses and workers are attracting historic investments to help secure and create jobs, grow the economy, and reduce air pollution.
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, today, welcomed Asahi Kasei Corporation’s investment of approximately $1.6 billion to build an electrical vehicle battery separator plant in Port Colborne. As medium-to long-term growth is forecasted in the North American electrical vehicle market, the company expects to make additional multi-billion-dollar investments through multiple phases. Details regarding direct jobs created by this investment are currently being finalized and will be announced at a later date.
“Today’s announcement is more good news for Ontario’s world-leading electric vehicle manufacturing sector and the thousands of workers who are benefiting from the billions of investments being made in our province,” said Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.
“Asahi Kasei’s investment will bring economic growth and good-paying jobs to workers in Port Colborne and across Niagara.”
“This good news announcement for Port Colborne is another example of how the province is leading the world with unprecedented investments and job creation in the automotive sector,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This partnership with Asahi Kasei in a generational investment for Port Colborne and will not only create thousands of important jobs in Niagara, but right across the entire automotive supply chain in Ontario.”
The project is expected to benefit from federal support through the Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. Ontario expects to support this project with both direct and indirect incentives.
“Over the last four years, Ontario has become the epicentre of Canada’s electric vehicle supply chain, attracting billions in investments by global automakers and suppliers of electrical vehicle batteries and battery materials,” said Hon Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
“Today, our government is proud to welcome Asahi Kasei as the newest addition to Ontario’s thriving automotive ecosystem.”
Located along Highway 140, south of Highway 58A in Port Colborne, the new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility represents the largest investment in Niagara to date.
“Today’s announcement in Port Colborne marks a transformative moment for not just the city, but entire region,” said Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
“This investment underscores the importance of collaboration among all levels of government and industry partners,” said Bill Steele, Mayor of the City of Port Colborne.
“This success would not have been possible without the incredible cooperation of all levels of government, the collaboration with our private business development partners, and the vision of the Asahi Kasei team.”
As demand for electrical vehicles continues to grow, Ontario is well positioned to attract further investment, solidifying our leadership in auto, electrical vehicle battery, and battery material industries, creating economic growth and opportunities now and for generations to come.