AT Electrode installed a coater in its factory to produce electrode sheets for use with lithium ion capacitors (LIC) and lithium ion batteries (LIB). It is in the process of creating a mass production setup to meet requests for this on the part of their users.

AT Electrode was established in 2009 as a joint venture between Air Water and Tomogawa to the manufacture and marketing of electrode sheets as a next generation electric power storage device. These are materials used in the composition of capacitors and LIBs which the company regards as products having a growth potential.

Phenol-formaldehyde are the raw material for producing electrode sheets. This is a core product of the Bellpearl which Air Water took over the business from the former Kanebo. Along with using as an absorbent material for nitrogen PSA, these resins are carbonized and supplied as the electrode material called Bellfine®. This has been supplied as raw material for batteries and capacitors. For this business, Tomogawa makes full use of its covering technology, based on this electrode material. It is supplied to the users as in the form of electrode sheets which are closer to the final product.

The demand has been rising for electricity storage systems for use with power storage such as for battery powered electric cars, plug-in hybrids, solar and wind power electricity generators. Next generation LICs and LIBs are to be commercialized around 2015 to improve the capabilities and performance of batteries now in use.