Okabe to Open China Automotive Battery Plant in Changxing

Japanese listed construction material maker, Okabe Co. announced at presentation for result of first half of 2011 on Wednesday the firm signed site purchase agreement for automotive battery making plant in Changxing, China. The firm originally planned to open the plant in Changzhou, China. However, the firm changed the plan when the environmental authorities in Changzhou didn’t give the permission for the construction when Chinese government strengthened the regulation on heavy metal including lead.

Okabe Co. will launch the operation of the battery making plant in Changxing in the end of 2012 as originally planned in China. The firm’s president Mr. Noriaki Matsumoto said the firm is confident on the Chinese business taking advantage of the environmental technology. He said the environmental regulation of Chinese government gives business opportunity for the firm. The firm export automotive battery from US subsidiary, Water Gremlin to China.