Furukawa Electric to Accelerate Open of Taiwanese Electrolytic Copper Foil Factory

Furukawa Electric plans to commence operation of the new factory in Taiwan to manufacture electrolytic copper foil for lithium ion battery (LiB) in July 2012, two months earlier than currently scheduled. The firm accelerates production shift from Japan to Taiwan when price competitions are severing with overseas electrolytic copper foil makers.

Furukawa Electric announced construction of the new electrolytic copper foil factory in Taiwan last year to follow the market growth of automotive LiB. Presently South Korean battery makers are aggressively selling LiB for electronic appliances at cheap prices and then LiB price is lowering. South Korean copper foil makers are increasing their presences along LiB price downtrend.

Japanese copper foil makers currently suffer extremely strong yen trend. Electrolytic copper foil makers are additionally concerned on electricity charge upsurge by TEPCO since electricity charge is said to account for 30% of total productive cost for electrolytic copper foil.

Furukawa Electric expects electricity cost halves in Taiwan compared with in Japan. The firm accelerates commencement of Taiwanese factory and production shift from Japan along with the customers’ quality certifications.