Sumitomo Electric Toyama Expands Porous Metal for Nickel-Hydrogen Battery

Sumitomo Electric Toyama, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries, expands output capacity of porous metal named “CELMET” at the plant in Toyama, Japan. The demand for CELMET has largely increased as a positive electrode material for nickel-hydrogen batteries, currently adopted into hybrid cars. Sumitomo Electric Toyama is now constructing a new factory building inside the site to start operation during April-September 2010. The firm doesn’t reveal the capacity expansion range but the current capacity is estimated at approximately 400,000 square meters per month.

CELMET is like a three-dimensional net made of nickel, nickelizing resin foam and removing resin by the heat treatment. For nickel-hydrogen batteries, fine-mesh CELMET is used. CELMET is also used for batteries of Toyota Motor’s new Prius. Sumitomo Electric Toyama continues full production of CELMET in and after May 2009.

A battery of new Prius contains approximately 270 cells, in each of which 10-20 sheets of CELMET are used. About 5 square meters of CELMET is used in new Prius’ one battery.