Securing a Stable Supply of Hydrogen-Absorbing Alloys and Expanding into the Hydrogen Storage Field
First written in FY2024-Q3. 3 of 5 entries say "Advanced", first in FY2025. Latest entry: FY2026.
No other company in this theme has enough history to compare yet.
- FY2026AdvancedAnnual report
「BAOTOU FDK CO., LTD., the Company's consolidated subsidiary, developed a high-capacity AB₂-type hydrogen-absorbing alloy as a new material for hydrogen storage tanks to help realize a hydrogen energy society. Its hydrogen storage capacity per unit weight is approximately 20% higher than that of the AB₅ type, and it offers excellent stability in hydrogen release pressure. Improvements to the activation process also enable both low-equilibrium-pressure specifications of 1 MPa or less and high-equilibrium-pressure specifications above 1 MPa, allowing deployment across a broad range of applications, including hydrogen stations and fuel cells.」
For the AB2-type hydrogen-absorbing alloy for hydrogen storage tanks, the Company specified a hydrogen storage capacity approximately 20% higher than that of the AB5 type, compatibility with pressure specifications, and potential applications in hydrogen stations and fuel cells. - FY2026-H1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the battery business, the Company developed high-capacity, high-output cylindrical manganese dioxide lithium primary batteries, adopted nickel-zinc batteries for a demonstration experiment involving grid-free solar carports, and developed high-capacity AB2-type hydrogen-absorbing alloys for hydrogen-storage tanks,」
In expanding into the hydrogen storage field, the Company developed a high-capacity AB2-type hydrogen-absorbing alloy for hydrogen storage tanks. This represents progress from the previous year's policy of making the company a subsidiary and pursuing joint development to specific materials development. - FY2025AdvancedAnnual report
「For existing battery products, the nickel-metal hydride battery business has been jointly developing hydrogen-absorbing alloys with BAOTOU FDK CO., LTD., which became a consolidated subsidiary in March 2024, and developed a new model for the automotive accessories market using hydrogen-absorbing alloy manufactured by BAOTOU FDK CO., LTD.」
Following BAOTOU FDK's conversion into a subsidiary, the joint development of hydrogen-absorbing alloys was applied to a specific new model for automotive accessories, and mass-production shipments began in August 2024. - FY2024AchievedAnnual report
「The acquisition of the equity interest was completed on 1 March 2024. Through the acquisition of an equity interest in BSBM, the Company intends to combine BSBM's accumulated technology in the manufacture and development of hydrogen-absorbing alloys with its own nickel-metal hydride battery development capabilities and sales network, further differentiating itself from competitors and reinforcing its position as the world's No. 1 by market share. It also aims to develop the Group into a world-class group in hydrogen storage in preparation for the coming hydrogen society.」
The acquisition of the BSBM equity interest, intended to secure a stable supply of hydrogen-absorbing alloy and expand into the hydrogen storage field, was completed on 1 March 2024, and BSBM was made a consolidated subsidiary under the name Baotou FDK Electrochemical Co., Ltd. - FY2024-Q3First statedAnnual report
「Under the FDK Group's strategic Framework, the 10-Year Plan, the Group has formulated its medium-term business plan R2 (fiscal 2023-2025), positioning the nickel-metal hydride battery business as one of its 3 existing core businesses. Strengthening the foundation of this business requires a stable supply of hydrogen-absorbing alloy, a key raw material. Through the acquisition of an equity interest in BSBM, the Company intends to combine BSBM's accumulated technology in the manufacture and development of hydrogen-absorbing alloys with its own nickel-metal hydride battery development capabilities and sales network, further differentiating itself from competitors and reinforcing its position as the world's No. 1 by market share. It also aims to develop the Group into a world-class group in hydrogen storage in preparation for the coming hydrogen society.」
For the nickel-metal hydride battery business, one of R2's 3 existing core businesses, the Company decided to make Baotou SanDe Battery Materials Co., Ltd. a subsidiary to secure a stable supply of hydrogen-absorbing alloy. The acquired voting rights ratio was 94.4%, the estimated acquisition price was ¥1.089 billion, and the effective date of the equity transfer was scheduled for late February 2024.