PR91825

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

Polypore International, LP (Polypore) and Shanghai Energy New Materials

Technology Co., Ltd. (SEMCORP) reached agreement in January 2021, through their

respective subsidiaries, to establish a joint venture (JV) in China for

dry-process membrane separator for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The necessary

regulatory approvals are complete and the JV has been established as Jiangxi

Enpo New Materials Co., Ltd. in Gaoan City, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic

of China.

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Based on a license from Polypore's subsidiary Celgard, LLC (Celgard) for

technology and intellectual property related to dry-process polypropylene (PP)

separator, the JV will manufacture and sell quality, high-performance

dry-process separator in China for LIBs used in energy storage systems (ESS)

and electric-drive vehicles (EDVs).

Production is scheduled to start in 2022 with PP membrane capacity of 100

million m2/year. In the joint venture, PPO Energy Storage Materials HK Ltd.

will have 49 percent of the equity contribution and SEMCORP will have 51

percent.

China has the world's largest and rapidly growing market for EDV and ESS

applications. As many countries, including China, enact policies for

decarbonization, significant growth is forecasted in these applications and the

new JV is expected to capture this growing demand. The JV will leverage

Celgard's advanced dry-process separator technology, quality control expertise

and intellectual property rights with SEMCORP's large-scale operating

capabilities and distribution channels in China.

"By joining Celgard's specialized knowledge in technology, processing, and

material science together with SEMCORP's operational expertise in China, the

joint venture will not only provide a wide range of solutions to customers but

also stimulate further development of the LIB industry overall," said Celgard

president, Lie Shi. "I am thrilled to begin this partnership with SEMCORP. The

combination of our two companies' strengths will provide new solutions for the

world's challenges related to the environment and energy."

"This joint venture will let us capture a huge opportunity in the ESS market

with dry-process separator," adds SEMCORP Chairman and CEO Paul Xiaoming Lee.

"By combining Celgard's state-of-the-art technology and know-how with SEMCORP's

rich operational experience and track record of producing large-scale quality

separator cost-competitively in China, this joint venture with Polypore will

position us to be a revolutionary supplier of dry-process separator in China

together."

About Celgard and Polypore

Celgard specializes in coated and uncoated dry-process microporous membranes

used as separators that are a major component of lithium-ion batteries.

Celgard's battery separator technology enhances the performance of lithium-ion

batteries for electric drive vehicles, energy storage systems and other

applications.

Celgard, LLC and PPO Energy Storage Materials HK Ltd. are wholly-owned

subsidiaries of Polypore International, LP, an Asahi Kasei company.

Polypore is a global company operating for more than 40 years with facilities

in nine countries specializing in microporous membranes used in electric and

nonelectric vehicles, energy storage systems and specialty applications. Visit

www.celgard.com and www.polypore.com.

About SEMCORP

SEMCORP, formally known as Shanghai Energy New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.,

is a global leader in developing and producing high-performance separators and

coated separators for the lithium-ion battery industry. SEMCORP currently has

six manufacturing facilities in China, with planned expansions both in China

and internationally to better serve electric vehicle, consumer electronics, and

energy storage customers. Visit http://en.semcorpglobal.com.

SOURCE:  Polypore International, LP

CONTACT: Beth Kitteringham

         polycorpcom@polypore.net

         +1-(704)-587-8596