Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; Tokyo, Japan; www.sdk.co.jp) will increase its capacity in China to produce high-purity aluminum foil, which is a major material for aluminum electrolytic capacitors. SDK will increase subsidiary Showa Denko Aluminum (Nantong) Ltd.’s (SDAN) capacity to produce high-purity aluminum foil from 600 to 800 metric tons (m.t.) per month, and start operation of the expanded plant in November 2017.
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are used in electric appliances, IT devices, electric vehicles, hybrid cars and equipment for power generation utilizing renewable energy sources. The demand for aluminum electrolytic capacitors is expected to increase especially in the fields of environment and energy.
SDAN has been conducting the final processing of rolled aluminum foil supplied from SDK’s Sakai Plant as intermediate product, thereby functioning as an overseas production base to provide customers in China with high-purity aluminum foil in a timely manner. In China, backed by increasing demand for solar batteries and industrial machines for automation, and also backed by rapid electrification of cars, the market for high-end aluminum foil (with high capacitance and high strength) produced by SDAN has been rapidly expanding. Showa Denko Group’s total capacity to produce high-purity aluminum foil, which is the aggregate of the capacity of SDK’s Sakai Plant and that of SDAN, will be maintained at 3,000 m.t. per month.