EVs and renewable energy in batteries
Contributing to a sustainable society through exterior materials technology

As we enter the 21st century, climate change and energy problems have become increasingly serious on a global scale. While efforts are underway worldwide to halt this trend and realize decarbonized society, balancing this with economic growth remains a major challenge.

Amidst these global trends, various countries and regions are implementing policies such as carbon neutrality and green recovery, and in the field of mobility, the development and introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) are being actively promoted, mainly in Japan, Europe, the United States, and China.

What is needed is a high-performance battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, that enables comfortable and safe driving and long operating time. Furthermore, there is a growing global need for battery development in mobile devices such as smartphones, and there is a demand for lightweight, thin, and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries. DNP is applying and expanding its printing technology, which it has cultivated over many years, to the development of film materials that safely encase batteries, supporting the manufacture of superior batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are currently the mainstream battery technology for a wide range of products, including electric vehicles (EVs) and smartphones. In the 1990s, when practical applications of lithium-ion batteries began, DNP started developing battery pouches.

A battery pouch is a light, thin, film-like outer material used to hold the contents of a battery, replacing the metal cans that traditionally enclosed batteries. Based on the technology of "encasing contents without leakage using durable materials" cultivated in the manufacture of food packaging such as retort curry, DNP combined this with know-how from its electronics business to commercialize battery pouches as All DNP in the late 1990s.

Battery pouches require various properties, including airtightness to prevent electrolyte leakage, insulation to maintain battery life, and heat and corrosion resistance for stable operation even in harsh environments. DNP has succeeded in imbuing its films with diverse functions by utilizing coating technology born from precision coating in printing. Around 2010, when the EV and smartphone markets began to expand, DNP's battery pouches were adopted as the outer casing material for the lithium-ion batteries they housed, establishing themselves as the de facto industry standard and growing to become the world's top market share holder.

Lithium-ion batteries have applications beyond just electric vehicles (EVs) and smartphones. They are used in a variety of fields, including wearable devices, small electronic devices like e-cigarettes, and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) that temporarily store electricity generated from solar and wind power and supply it according to demand.

DNP High-Performance Materials Hikone (formerly Resonac Packaging), which DNP acquired as a group company in 2025, has strengths in supplying battery pouches for ESS applications and IT equipment, and the synergy between the two companies is expected to expand their product range. Furthermore, when combined with the numerous patents that DNP has continued to file and obtain since the early stages of battery pouch development, the total number of patents held by the two companies exceeds 800, further accelerating the combination of each company's strengths and their application and development. This will further strengthen their competitiveness through the fusion of their unique technologies and manufacturing know-how.

Moving forward, we will continue to combine the strengths we have cultivated through TAIWA (dialogue) and cooperation, focusing on battery pouches to create further value and develop new products.

By developing high-performance battery pouches, DNP contributes to the widespread adoption of high-performance batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, which enable the efficient use of electricity and the sustainable operation of renewable energy. This initiative supports the reduction of environmental impact and leads to the realization of decarbonized society.

In the field of EVs and other vehicles, we contribute to improving the energy efficiency of vehicles and reducing CO₂ emissions by providing lightweight and highly durable battery pouches. In the area of ESS (Energy Storage System), we support the construction of a sustainable energy infrastructure that can stably supply clean energy.

With world-leading technological capabilities and a flexible production system, we respond to rapidly changing market needs. By providing high-quality, reliable battery pouches, we enhance the safety and convenience of all devices and equipment equipped with rechargeable batteries and storage batteries, such as EVs and mobile devices, thereby improving people's quality of life. Looking ahead to a future where everyone can live safely and prosperously, we will continue to contribute to a society where economic growth and the global environment coexist.