PR98654

Celgard Enters into Exclusive Joint Development Agreement for High-Voltage Battery Separator Technology with Morrow for LNMO Battery Cell Production at European Gigafactory

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ -

Celgard, LLC (Celgard), a subsidiary of Polypore International, LP, is pleased

to announce it has entered into a multi-year joint development agreement with

Morrow Batteries AS (Morrow). Celgard will work with Morrow to develop, test,

and commercialize next generation dry-process battery separators that will be

used in Morrow high-voltage battery cells with lithium nickel manganese oxide

(LNMO) cathode material for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system

(ESS) applications.

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While separator development activities are already underway between the two

companies, commercial production will begin at Morrow's battery cell

Gigafactory at Eyde Energy Park in Arendal, Norway, in 2024. Under the terms of

the agreement, Morrow will exclusively use Celgard's proprietary dry-process

membrane separators, developed under the agreement, in high-voltage batteries

produced at its Gigafactory. Morrow has committed to undisclosed annual

purchase volumes.

"For over half a century Celgard has been at the forefront of membrane

technology, we are very excited to join forces with them to commercialize

separators for Morrow's next generation high-voltage batteries.

The partnership with Celgard provides a framework to speed up the development

of our LNMO-based products and it is a big step towards Morrow's goal of being

a global leader in cost and sustainability," said Rahul Fotedar, chief

technology officer of Morrow.

Additionally, Lie Shi, Asahi Kasei global head of separator business

development and executive vice president of Polypore, added the following: "We

are excited to partner with Morrow to develop and showcase Celgard(R) next

generation membrane separators for high-voltage battery cells manufactured at

their battery Gigafactory and we look forward to further advancing electric

vehicle technology with Morrow in Europe."

About Celgard and Polypore

Celgard specializes in solvent-free, coated and uncoated, dry-process

microporous membranes used as separators that are a major component of

lithium-ion batteries. Celgard's battery separator technology is important to

the performance of lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles, energy

storage systems and other applications.

Celgard, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polypore International, LP, an

Asahi Kasei Company.

Polypore is a global company 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 Morrow Batteries AS

Morrow Batteries AS (Morrow) delivers cost-effective and sustainable batteries

to build decarbonized and resilient energy systems worldwide and enable the

electric drive for all. Their next-generation LNMO (cathode material) batteries

will replace cobalt, reduce nickel and lithium, and maximize the use of clean

and abundant manganese. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Arendal, the

industrial scale-up now counts 100+ battery specialists across four offices

internationally. Learn more at morrowbatteries.com and @MorrowBatteries on

LinkedIn.

SOURCE: Celgard, LLC

CONTACT: Beth Kitteringham, polycorpcom@polypore.net, +1 (704) 587-8596,

www.polypore.com